Amtrak last month announced its plans to restore Chicago Union Station are moving forward to the next phase, which includes planning, historic review and preliminary engineering. The firm Arup has been awarded the renovation contract. Amtrak and the city are jointly funding the station improvements to address issues with passenger capacity, service, safety, accessibility and mobility in and around the historic station. For its part, Arup will design and expand concourses and entrances, widen platforms and work on ADA compliance, pedestrian passageways and ventilation issues. Called Phase 1A, this stage is expected to last 18 months. “Chicago Union Station is an enormous asset to Amtrak as well as the City of Chicago,”  Stephen Gardner, executive vice president, Amtrak, said in a statement. “We are excited to begin this first phase of the efforts to improve this vibrant transportation hub, in collaboration with our partners. These efforts, combined with related efforts to advance new customer amenities and spur development of Amtrak’s historic Station Headhouse and other assets, could catapult Union Station back into its role as a central anchor of the West Loop neighborhood.” “We are making Union Station a true transit hub and economic engine by doubling down on transportation investments that create jobs and transform neighborhoods,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “Union Station provides an essential link to economic, cultural and recreational opportunities for Chicago’s residents, visitors and businesses. Modernizing Union Station is one of the ways we are working together to build a 21st century infrastructure to power Chicago’s 21st century economy.”