Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail

Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail

Company type	Public transportation project
Industry	Passenger rail transport
Founder	Illinois Department of Transportation
Headquarters	Chicago , United States
Area served	Chicago metropolitan area, Rockford, Illinois
Products	Intercity passenger rail service
Owner	Illinois Department of Transportation
Parent	Metra (planned operator)

The Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail represents a planned Metra inter-city rail connection between Chicago and Rockford, Illinois. Spearheaded by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and financed through a $275 million allocation from the Rebuild Illinois capital initiative, this service is targeted to commence operations by late 2027. This project will reinstate rail service to Rockford for the first time since the discontinuation of the Black Hawk by Amtrak in 1981.

The proposed line will operate as an express route along the Milwaukee District West Line from Chicago Union Station to Elgin, making a stop at one of three current Metra stations. Beyond , the route will transition onto Union Pacific's Belvidere Subdivision, incorporating two additional stations in Huntley and Belvidere, before concluding its journey in downtown Rockford.

To distinguish this intercity service from its commuter rail operations and boost passenger appeal, Metra is exploring the option of marketing it under a separate brand.

Stations and fares

Five stations will be served along the route: two existing locations and three new additions. The eastern terminus is at Chicago Union Station, with an Elgin stop chosen from among National Street, downtown Elgin, or Big Timber Road. Proposed station sites in Huntley, Belvidere, and Rockford await final approval, with initial designs expected by November 1, 2023. The preferred downtown Elgin station on Chicago Street offers a transfer point to Pace's Elgin Transportation Center.

Fare levels have not yet been finalized but are anticipated to differ from current commuter rail rates. IDOT and Metra are jointly developing the fare framework. One reason Metra was selected over Amtrak is its preexisting fare integration with transit agencies throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

County	Location	Station	Connections	Notes
Winnebago	Rockford		Planned; expected opening by 2027	Downtown site near former CNW station location
Boone	Belvidere		Planned; expected opening by 2027	Downtown area east of State Street close to Boone County Museum of History
McHenry	Huntley		Planned; expected opening by 2027	Exact location to be determined; previously analyzed during Metra extension studies
Kane	Elgin		Template:Rint Metra Template:Rint Pace Bus	Existing station selection pending; options include National Street and Big Timber Road
Cook	Chicago		Amtrak (long-distance and intercity), Metra lines, CTA trains and buses, Pace Bus, Amtrak Thruway services

See also

• Quad Cities, an Amtrak route currently being developed with funding from Rebuild Illinois
• Amtrak Black Hawk, the previous intercity rail serving Rockford from 1974 to 1981

External links

• Official project website