Mary Owen/TribLocal reporter

Joliet officials welcomed the recent news that part of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail line could be completed later this year, anticipating the city could see economic benefits of being the first stop along the route out of Chicago.

“This was a real big shot in the arm,” said Jim Haller, Joliet’s director of community and economic development.

State and railroad officials announced last week the first 90 miles of the high-speed rail corridor could be completed by December thanks to $98 million in stimulus money. The total cost of the project, which would shave off about two hours of the typically six hour trip from Chicago to St. Louis, is $4 billion. Illinois has received a $1.1 billion grant for the project.

Haller said he expects the rail route to boost ridership in and out of Joliet, which already has Metra and Amtrak stops in downtown. 

“I think what we’ll see is more people out of suburban Chicago who don’t want to drive into the heart of Chicago,” he said.

He envisions Joliet could become an accessible tourist destination, where people can walk off the train and eat at restaurants, visit Harrah’s casino, watch a minor league baseball Jackhammers game or see a show at the Rialto theater. 

“It opens up the whole new horizon,” he said.

The high-speed rail would travel on the existing Union Pacific Railroad that travels north and south through Joliet. The train would travel 79 miles per hour in the Chicago area – as fast as current Amtrak and Metra trains – but speed up to 110 miles per hour after departing Joliet southbound toward Springfield and St. Louis.

The project is several years from being completed, but officials believe it buttresses their current major transportation project – the Joliet Regional Multi-Modal Transportation Center. The project would create a central hub for trains, buses, taxis, car rentals and even bikes. Currently, the city is applying for a $30 million federal grant to help fund the project.

“What we’re doing is preparing for the future,” Haller said.