JOLIET — Metra will halt Rock Island Line train service between Joliet and Chicago for the weekend of Aug. 28–30, affecting riders who commute or travel by rail. The transit agency says the stoppage is needed to complete bridge work connected to construction of the new Auburn Park Station in Chicago.
What is changing this weekend
The closure will begin Friday night, Aug. 28. Metra has scheduled the final outbound and inbound trains to accommodate weekend travel before the work begins. According to the agency, the last mainline outbound train from Chicago and the last inbound train from Joliet depart Friday evening, and no Rock Island trains will run between the two cities during the remainder of the weekend.
"The last outbound Rock Island mainline train from Chicago to Joliet (Train 511) will depart LaSalle Street Station at 8:25 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28. For inbound service, the last train (Train 512) will depart Joliet at 6:25 p.m."
Service details
Metra has said service will be restored in time for the Monday morning commute on Aug. 31. The agency previously planned this outage for the weekend of Aug. 21–23 but delayed the work after recent severe storms interfered with preparation and scheduling.
| Direction | Train | Departure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outbound (Chicago to Joliet) | Train 511 | 8:25 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28 | Makes all mainline stops except 95th/Longwood and 103rd/Washington Heights; does not serve Beverly Branch stations Prairie Street and 123rd Street |
| Inbound (Joliet to Chicago) | Train 512 | 6:25 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28 | Final inbound train prior to weekend suspension |
How this affects Joliet riders
The closure removes direct rail options between Joliet and downtown Chicago for roughly two full days. That will affect commuters with late-Friday or weekend plans, weekend workers, travelers attending events in Chicago, and anyone who relies on Metra for regional access.
- Plan for alternate transportation on Aug. 29–30: ride-sharing, intercity buses, carpooling or driving are options.
- Check Metra's website, social channels, and station notices for updates and future outage announcements tied to Auburn Park construction.
- Allow extra travel time when returning to Joliet Friday night and on Monday morning as service resumes.
Metra has indicated additional weekend outages will be necessary to finish the Auburn Park Station project; future dates will be announced later. Riders should monitor official Metra communications at www.metra.com for schedules and service alerts.
Local context
The Rock Island Line is a key commuter corridor linking Joliet with downtown Chicago. Temporary suspensions for infrastructure projects are common when major work—such as bridge repairs or station construction—requires uninterrupted access to tracks and equipment. While this weekend's closure is limited to two days and Metra intends to restore service for the Monday rush, even short interruptions can create ripple effects for daily commuters and weekend travelers.
For Joliet residents who depend on Metra for work or appointments in Chicago, advance planning is essential. Metra's notice provides the last-train times before the shutdown; passengers who must travel Friday evening should book earlier departures and confirm any connecting transportation in Joliet.
Metra's statement and schedule changes follow a week in which severe storms prompted the agency to postpone the work by a week. The agency framed the closure as necessary to advance construction of the Auburn Park Station, a project that will require additional weekend work down the line.
Riders with questions about ticketing, refunds, or alternative service should contact Metra directly or visit the agency's website for the latest information.
