$23M transportation investment takes center stage in Carbondale as Gov. Pritzker attends station opening
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The City of Carbondale will celebrate the grand opening of the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station on Friday, marking the completion of a multimillion-dollar transportation project aimed at improving connectivity across Southern Illinois.
A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the new station, located at 401 S. Illinois Ave.
The Southern Illinois Multimodal Station, or SIMMS, brings several transportation services together in one facility, including Amtrak, Greyhound, FlixBus, JAX Mass Transit and other regional transit providers. The facility also includes bicycle and pedestrian connections and Southern Illinois University’s Welcome Center.
City officials said more than $23 million in federal and state grant funding helped make the project possible.
The city describes the station as a regional transportation hub designed to improve access for residents, students and visitors while supporting tourism, economic development and revitalization efforts in downtown Carbondale.
“This is a historic moment for the City of Carbondale and the entire Southern Illinois region,” City Manager Stan Reno said. “The Southern Illinois Multimodal Station represents years of vision, collaboration and investment.”
Friday’s ceremony will include remarks from elected officials, transportation leaders and project partners before the ribbon-cutting.
An SIU Brass Ensemble, SIU cheerleaders and the Saluki Shakers are also scheduled to participate.
Following the ceremony, attendees will be able to tour the facility, including Cowork Carbondale’s collaborative workspace, the Buckminster Fuller display and the SIU Welcome area.
The ceremony is open to the community.
