Metra Heritage Corridor Line is a commuter rail line in the United States. It is a line that links Chicago Union Station with Joliet, Illinois, and travels along the tracks of its owner, CN Rail. It is 37 miles long and passes through some of the suburban communities of Summit, Lemont, and Lockport.
Famous for its limited service hours, the Heritage Corridor Line normally only runs during weekday rush-hour trains aimed primarily at daily commuters heading to and from downtown Chicago. The route showcases industrial and scenic sections of the area, noting its former role as a railway mecca while also serving as a critical transit option for suburban dwellers.
Metra Heritage Corridor Line Overview
Below is the station Overview.
Metra Heritage Corridor Line Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Line Name | Heritage Corridor (HC) Line |
| Operator | Metra (Tracks owned by Canadian National Railway) |
| Route | Chicago Union Station ↔ Joliet Union Station |
| Total Line Length | Approx. 37 miles |
| Total Number of Stations | 6 |
| Chicago Terminus | Union Station – 500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60661 |
| Joliet Terminus | Joliet Union Station – 50 E Jefferson St, Joliet, IL |
| Primary Suburban Stops | Summit, Willow Springs, Lemont, Lockport, Romeoville |
| Service Days | Weekdays only (No weekend or holiday service) |
| Train Frequency | 3 inbound AM trains, 3 outbound PM trains |
| Travel Time (End to End) | Approx. 60–70 minutes |
| Transfer Options | CTA (Union Station, Summit), Metra (Union Station, Joliet, Summit) |
| Amtrak Connections | Available at Union Station & Joliet (Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle) |
| CTA Connections | Blue Line (Union Station), Orange Line (Summit via Midway) |
| Other Metra Transfers | Rock Island District (at Joliet), BNSF Line (via Summit/Harlem Ave) |
| Pace Bus Connections | Available at Summit, Lemont, Joliet, Romeoville |
| Parking Availability | Available at most suburban stations (Park & Ride lots) |
Metra Heritage Corridor Line Parking Information
1. Union Station (Chicago, IL 60606)
Parking: Union Station is a major interchange, so there are plenty of parking garages around.
Nearby Parking Garages:
- The Ogilvie Transportation Center Garage (Chicago)
- Union Station Parking Garage (Right next to Union Station)
- Several other downtown parking lots near the station.
Tip: Rates fluctuate according to location and time parked; long-term parking rates are available.
2. Summit Station
Parking: Two parking lots for Daily use.
Total Spaces:
- About 122 spaces for daily commuters.
- 6 ADA accessible spaces.
Payment: Either need daily permits or pay at the door.
3. Willow Springs
Parking: Offers daily as well as permit parking.
Total Spaces:
- 61 overall spaces.
- 4 ADA accessible spaces.
Permit Details: There are some spots for permit holders, but daily parking is also an option.
Payment: Pay stations or app payment is expected to be available for daily parking.
4. Lemont
Parking: 6 parking lots are available at this station.
Total Spaces:
- 82 restricted permit spaces.
- 252 daily-use spaces.
- 7 ADA accessible spaces.
Payment: Pay stations or app-based payment for daily parking spots. There are permits for reserved spaces.
5. Romeoville
Parking: 2 available lots.
Total Spaces:
- 68 handicapped permit-only spaces.
- 98 daily-use spaces.
- 7 ADA accessible spaces.
Payment: There are pay stations and additional payment through the Passport Parking app.
Tip: The parking here is well-presented, and app payment is available to allow for easy payment on the go.
6. Lockport
Parking: There are four parking lots at this station.
Total Spaces:
- 45 restricted permit-only spaces.
- 349 daily-use spaces.
- 8 ADA accessible spaces.
Payment: Pay stations and app-based payment options are offered.
Tip: Lockport’s ample daily-use spaces are a draw for commuters, so expect potential congestion during rush hours.
7. Joliet
Parking: Availability: Joliet station has ample parking.
Total Spaces:
- 910 daily-use spaces.
- 29 ADA accessible spaces.
Payment: Probably needs daily parking payments, in pay stations or mobile apps.
Tip: With 10 different lots, you should have no problem finding a spot, even at the busiest times. But better to get there during the peak commuter times if you’re traveling on a busy day.
Metra Heritage Corridor Line Nearby Attractions
- Mokena
- New Lenox
- Orland Park
- Tinley Park
- Joliet
- Lockport
- Plainfield
Metra Heritage Corridor Line Stations
- Chicago Union Station (downtown Chicago – starting point)
- Summit
- Willow Springs
- Lemont
- Romeoville
- Lockport
- Joliet (Gateway Center) – southern end of the line
Metra Heritage Corridor Line Transfers and Connections Stations
The Heritage Corridor line has six stations at:
1. Union Station (Chicago):
- The line’s terminus is in the north and is a significant transportation center for the region.
- You can transfer at Union Station to BNSF, SouthWest Service, Milwaukee District West and North, or North Central Service lines. You can also transfer to CTA Blue and Red Lines, Amtrak long-distance trains, and Pace suburban buses.
2. Romeoville – Chicago Station:
- A park-and-ride in Romeoville, providing only basic commuter access. The only relatively prevailing transit is Pace Bus Route 834, which runs throughout the nearby residential and commercial areas.
3. Lockport Station:
- Public transportation is limited at this station, but there are parking facilities and some access to Pace bus service. Most commuters use it to reach downtown.
4. Lemont Station:
- This station is located in the historic village of Lemont with connections to Pace Bus Routes 834 and 755, providing services to Bolingbrook, Lisle, and downtown Chicago (Pace express). There is also parking for commuters.
5. Willow Springs Station:
- Another suburban stop, Willow Springs, has some nearby bus service; Pace Route 302 or 330 via Archer Avenue. It also offers park-and-ride facilities.
6. Summit Station:
- Gateway depot on the Heritage Corridor, transfer point to the Warby rail line.
- Summit is adjacent to the Harlem Avenue Station of the Metra BNSF Railway Line, and a connection does exist between the two commuter lines.
- Summit is also located near Midway Airport, and the CTA Orange Line can be accessed through Pace Bus or rideshare.
7. Joliet Union Station:
- Southern terminus and a key transportation center. RID (Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station) Transfer here to the Metra Rock Island District Line.
- Joliet is also served by Amtrak, with the Lincoln Service to St. Louis (in collaboration with Union Pacific Railroad) and Texas Eagle to Texas and bus connections to points throughout the country. Next to the station is a major Pace Bus terminal, which provides service throughout Will County and the southwest suburbs.
Metra Heritage Corridor Line Schedule
Weekday Inbound to Chicago Union Station Morning Schedule
| Station | Train #915 | Train #917 | Train #919 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet | 5:45 AM | 6:25 AM | 7:05 AM |
| Lockport | 5:54 AM | 6:34 AM | 7:14 AM |
| Romeoville | 5:59 AM | 6:39 AM | 7:19 AM |
| Lemont | 6:06 AM | 6:46 AM | 7:26 AM |
| Willow Springs | 6:12 AM | 6:52 AM | 7:32 AM |
| Summit | 6:18 AM | 6:58 AM | 7:38 AM |
| Chicago (Union) | 6:47 AM | 7:27 AM | 8:07 AM |
Weekday Outbound to Joliet Evening Schedule
| Station | Train #920 | Train #922 | Train #924 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago (Union) | 3:50 PM | 4:50 PM | 5:30 PM |
| Summit | 4:14 PM | 5:14 PM | 5:54 PM |
| Willow Springs | 4:20 PM | 5:20 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Lemont | 4:26 PM | 5:26 PM | 6:06 PM |
| Romeoville | 4:33 PM | 5:33 PM | 6:13 PM |
| Lockport | 4:38 PM | 5:38 PM | 6:18 PM |
| Joliet | 4:53 PM | 5:53 PM | 6:33 PM |
1. What is the Heritage Corridor Line?
- The Heritage Corridor is a Metra line in northeastern Illinois traveling from Chicago Union Station to Joliet, with numerous stops at surrounding suburbs such as Willow Springs, Lemont, and Lockport.
2. Is the Heritage Corridor line running on weekends?
- No. The Heritage Corridor runs during weekdays only and serves several morning inbound trains and evening outbound trains to Joliet.
3. The Heritage Corridor Line has how many trains per day?
- Weekdays, there are three inbound trains in the morning (to Chicago) and three outbound trains in the evening (to Joliet).
4. Where do I park while on the Heritage Corridor Line?
- Many stations have daily fee parking, and some also offer permit/reserved spaces. Trending stations such as Summit, Lemont, Lockport, Romeoville, and Joliet have dedicated lots with ADA-compliant spaces.
5. How much is the Heritage Corridor Line?
- Tariffs are based on the distance travelled (zonal system). Fares Passengers pay fares with the Ventra system, which is facilitated by app, at a ticket agent, vending machine, or on board train (cash only – possibly at a surcharge if there was access to the ticket office when departure occurred).
6. What is the address of the Heritage Corridor Line’s terminal in Chicago?
- The address of the Heritage Corridor Line in Chicago is 225 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606.
