Gov. Pritzker Celebrates Opening Of New Southern Illinois Multimodal Station In Carbondale
State-of-the-art facility will connect communities and support tourism with rail, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian transit infrastructure
CARBONDALE – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and local and state leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS), a $26.2 million investment that connects multiple modes of transportation and creates a new gateway to Carbondale and the greater southern Illinois region. The station will improve mobility and quality of life, while supporting economic development and enhanced tourism, marking Gov. Pritzker’s latest effort to strengthen passenger rail and transit throughout the state.
“The Southern Illinois Multi-Modal Station, or SIMMS, represents our focus on Southern Illinois families and the economic development vision we have pursued across Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “SIMMS will connect residents with jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunity, and connect visitors with everything the region has to offer. This is just the beginning of our investment in public transportation in Southern Illinois and across our state.”
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
“SIMMS is carrying out our administration’s vision of investing in infrastructure and transit in every corner of our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “This will not only connect people and communities, it will spur significant economic development that will transform Southern Illinois.”
“SIMMS was conceived as more than a replacement transportation station. It is an important component of the City’s broader efforts to revitalize downtown Carbondale and strengthen its role as a regional destination and transportation center,” said Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey. “We are thankful to the Governor and his support for this important addition to Carbondale and the region.”
Overseen by the city of Carbondale, construction of the station put Amtrak, Greyhound, FlixBus, JAX Mass Transit, and four other regional transit providers serving 28 counties under one roof. It will connect Carbondale – and communities across Illinois – to destinations all over the country. The state-of-the-art facility also includes access to bicycle and pedestrian connections, as well as long- and short-term bike storage options.
Built on the site of the previous Amtrak station in downtown Carbondale, the new station features platforms compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, as well as upgraded lighting, electronic message boards, canopies to protect riders from the elements, and roof-mounted solar panels. A Southern Illinois University Carbondale welcome center and tourism resources will also be housed on site.
The project broke ground in 2023, made possible by an $18.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program and $2.8 million in state investments. The city contributed the remaining balance of $5 million.
“This new addition to downtown Carbondale ensures a safe, reliable travel option for residents for decades to come. It also promises to build upon the vibrant tourism economy in southern Illinois,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We are thankful for Governor Pritzker’s support and proud to work with our state and local partners to make this impressive facility happen.”
“Today’s grand opening of the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station marks an exciting milestone for not just Carbondale, but all of Southern Illinois,” said State Senator Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona). “This new station will strengthen transportation options in the region, making it easier for residents and visitors to travel around Southern Illinois. By improving access to our communities, this project will help support local businesses, attract more visitors, and create new economic opportunities.”
“SIUC and the City of Carbondale are important economic engines for the 118th district and Illinois as a whole,” said State Rep. Scott Doody (R-Anna). “The investment from the State of Illinois and the US Department of Transportation into the new Multimodal station in Carbondale is important to the continued growth of Southern Illinois, and will make a great impression on travelers riding Amtrak from Chicago to New Orleans.”
“Governor Pritzker continues to demonstrate a real commitment to Southern Illinois by making meaningful investments in the infrastructure our communities need to grow and prosper,” said Tate Wright, Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer. “The Southern Illinois Multimodal Station is another example of how smart public investment can strengthen our communities, create economic opportunity, and improve the quality of life for the people who live and work here. The Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council appreciates the Governor’s continued support for Southern Illinois and for the working men and women who build the infrastructure that keeps our state moving forward.”
Putting Transit Reform on Track
This transformational project in Carbondale represents the latest accomplishment under Governor Pritzker to modernize transit and rail across the state. Last year, the Governor announced a $2 million investment in Carbondale to reconstruct and modernize Poplar, West Cherry, and West College Streets, as well as advance other projects across the region. This is part of a larger $400 million investment to support 223 local projects in the region.
Building on the historic Rebuild Illinois initiative in 2025, Governor Pritzker launched the largest infrastructure program in state history – identifying $50.6 billion to invest in the state’s aging transportation infrastructure as part of IDOT’s latest multiyear program. The historic multi-year plan will create jobs and promote economic growth across the state and address critical infrastructure needs. The capital plan will touch all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
In December, Gov. Pritzker signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act into law, a landmark action in modernizing the state’s transit system. The law, which took effect June 1, created a new regional authority, while delivering significant investments in public transit across the state without raising statewide taxes. This includes $150 million of new annual operating revenue for downstate transit and infrastructure, as well as the creation of a committee within IDOT that will coordinate improvements.
More like this:
- Most Popular
- Top Stories
- Most Recent
