Illinois Valley Commuter Rail
In 2002 the Illinois Valley Commuter Rail Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the Village of Channahon, City of Joliet, City of LaSalle, City of Marseilles, City of Minooka, City of Morris, City of Ottawa, City of Peru, Village of Seneca, Village of North Utica, Grundy County Board, LaSalle County Board, authorized a commuter rail feasibility study on the old Rock Island Line west of Metra’s Joliet Union Station. The study concluded it appeared physically, operationally, and financially feasible on its face. However, it recommended a closer look at this line’s potential ridership, costs, and supporting public transit network.
In 2015 a second study was commissioned to purse recommendations from the 2002 study. During this time, Ottawa and other municipalities had questions about where their residents travelled to work and whether the commuter rail route they had sought was the best one. This study took a broad look at public transportation to determine existing and potential demand for all forms of public transportation in Grundy, LaSalle, and Kendall Counties. This plan helps communities determine how they can improve their existing public transit systems in the short-term and long-term to better serve the various types of demand they have or will likely have in the future. Below please find the final plans/reports.
Existing Conditions & Market Assessment Report
Socioeconomic, Ridership, & Costing Methodology Report