Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn was joined today by city officials and Amtrak to announce the completion of the new station in historic downtown Pontiac, the latest of several station improvements overseen by the Illinois Department of Transportation along the Chicago-St. Louis passenger rail corridor. The new station opens to Amtrak service beginning Tuesday, June 6.

“After years of construction along one of the busiest passenger rail corridors in the country, the benefits are beginning to show with beautiful new stations in our state’s great communities,” Secretary Blankenhorn said. “This building will become a centerpiece of downtown Pontiac and provide travelers a safer, more reliable and convenient option to get to where they want to go.”

The 1,350-square-foot building features a peaked roof, glass façade and modern facilities and amenities for passengers on Amtrak’s Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle. Features include connections to bicycle and pedestrian paths, free Wi-Fi and parking for both vehicles and bikes. Located at 711 W. Water St., one block south of the old station, the new depot follows the successful opening last fall of a new station to the north in Dwight.

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