Joliet Gateway Center
| Company type | Transportation hub |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Joliet , United States |
Area served | Joliet, Illinois and surrounding region |
| Products | Passenger rail services, bus terminal |
Joliet Gateway Center functions as a multimodal transportation hub located in downtown Joliet, Illinois. Established in 2018, it succeeded the nearby Joliet Union Station as the city's main facility for commuter and passenger rail services.
The center acts as the endpoint for Metra's Rock Island District and Heritage Corridor lines, while also serving as a stop for Amtrak's Texas Eagle and Lincoln Service routes. Since its bus terminal opened in 2021, it has supported 10 Pace bus routes, significantly improving regional transit connections.
History
Rail passenger service commenced in Joliet in 1852, quickly positioning the city as a key railroad junction. A major infrastructure project initiated in 1909 eliminated grade crossings and unified several stations into the newly constructed Joliet Union Station, which began operations in 1912 and once managed over 100 daily trains. Although passenger volumes declined during the late 20th century, freight traffic increased substantially. Operational difficulties emerged after tunnels connecting platforms were filled in, requiring freight trains to halt during passenger boarding times and causing scheduling conflicts.
In 2009, Joliet received a TIGER grant alongside financial contributions from Illinois, BNSF, and the city to modernize passenger amenities. Union Station ceased operations in September 2014 and was temporarily replaced by provisional facilities. Construction of the new station started in late 2016, culminating in its official opening on April 11, 2018.
While initial plans for Joliet Gateway Center included a bus terminal, it was excluded due to budget overruns. Additional funding from Pace allowed construction to commence in early 2021—more than ten years after the concept was first introduced. The bus terminal officially opened in December 2021.
Services
Joliet Gateway Center serves as the final stop for Metra's Rock Island District and Heritage Corridor lines, linking to Chicago LaSalle Street Station and Chicago Union Station, respectively. It also functions as an intermediate station on Amtrak’s Texas Eagle (running between Chicago and San Antonio/Los Angeles) and Lincoln Service (connecting Chicago with St. Louis and Kansas City).
In 2018, Joliet ranked 51st out of Metra's 236 non-downtown stations with an average weekday boarding figure of 996 passengers.
As of November 2023, weekday service includes 42 Rock Island District trains (21 inbound and 21 outbound), with weekend schedules offering 21 trains on Saturdays and 16 on Sundays and holidays. The Heritage Corridor operates three inbound trains each weekday morning and three outbound trains in the evening.
Amtrak’s presence at Joliet comprises eight daily Lincoln Service trains (four in each direction) plus two daily Texas Eagle trains (one each way) as of 2024.
Situated 37.2 miles from Chicago Union Station via the Heritage Corridor and 40 miles from LaSalle Street Station via the Rock Island District, Joliet is unique as the only Metra station outside Chicago where two lines terminate. It is classified within zone 4 for fare calculation on both lines under Metra’s zone-based system.
Future services
In 2022, Amtrak proposed shifting its Texas Eagle and Lincoln Service routes from the heavily congested CN Joliet Subdivision to the less busy Rock Island District line owned by Metra. This rerouting is intended to alleviate delays caused by dense rail traffic on the current pathway.
To facilitate this transition, infrastructure enhancements are necessary, including constructing a third platform at Joliet Gateway Center and upgrading the connection between the Rock Island District and Chicago Union Station. Currently, the link via the St. Charles Air Line imposes a speed limit of 5 mph and requires trains to reverse into Union Station, limiting operational efficiency.
Connections
- Served by Pace Bus lines 504, 505, 508, 509, 511, 512, 832, and 834