New Downtown Joliet Metra Commuter Lot Opens Monday

This story was written by Patch Editor Karen Sorensen

Metra commuters, your parking situation's about to get a little easier with the opening Monday of the new 398-space Marion Street parking lot, the first phase of Joliet's ambitious downtown transportation center.

The new gated lot, located at the corner of Chicago and Marion streets, opens for use at 4:30 a.m., according to a news release issued by the city. While it is immediately west of the existing New Street lot, it can only be accessed from Chicago or Marion.

The cost to park is $1. Payment options include obtaining a ticket and paying with cash, credit or debit at an electronic station before departure, paying with a credit or debit card at the exit gate or purchasing a prepaid card from the city of Joliet's Collector's Office, 150 W. Jefferson St., or online at www.cityofjoliet.info.

Cards require a $10 deposit and an additional $10 in preloaded parking fees ($20 total), and can be reloaded at the electronic station, the release said. The card allows the holder to wave it in front of the sensor to raise the gates. 

However, the prepaid card does not guarantee a parking space, the release said. There will be a free 15-minute grace period after entering so that drivers can exit without a fee if the lot is full.

Eventually, the plan is to close the New Street lot to begin construction on the new bus facility, which is the next phase of the Joliet Gateway Center
Transportation Campus.

The project also includes the relocation of the train passenger platforms, the construction of a new train station and the renovation of Union Station for non-train uses. 

The transportation center is expected to cost about $63.5 million, $32 million of which is being provided by the state of Illinois. The city will contribute $7.5 million, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway is paying $2.2 million and Pace is committing $1.7 million.