advertisement

---

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn recently announced the state will provide $32 million from the Illinois Jobs Now! program to construct a multi-modal transportation station in downtown Joliet. The facility is expected to lay the groundwork for future transit-oriented development in downtown Joliet, and help improve Metra and Amtrak service reliability, according to a prepared statement.

The $42 million project includes relocating all passenger platforms and waiting areas east of the existing three-way intersection between BNSF Railway Co., Union Pacific Railroad and Rock Island District Line tracks to separate passenger- and freight-rail traffic.

The project also calls for building pedestrian tunnels that connect to Pace bus service, intercity bus service and other forms of ground transportation, as well as a new 500-space parking lot.

The city of Joliet will contribute $7.5 million for the project and BNSF will provide $2.2 million. The multi-modal center is part of an overall plan to develop high-speed rail service between Chicago and St. Louis.