Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Renovated Transportation Hub Opens in Galesburg

T.J. Carson
Passengers walk through the newly-renovated Amtrak station in Galesburg.

It took a year to complete upgrades to the building in Galesburg's downtown area. The project cost $689,000, with most of the money coming from the state and federal governments.

The hub continues to serve as the city's Amtrak station.  In addition, it now has a ticket office for Burlington Trailways.

David Spacek of the Illinois Department of Transportation said customers will benefit from having bus and train services under one roof.  He called it a big improvement for Galesburg.

“It used to be kind of, inter-city bus especially, the mode of last resort, and it’s really the young people that have used inter-city bus a lot to get to and from campuses and getting a positive experience, so it’s just building on that positive experience,” Spacek said.

State Representative Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) said the renovated building is another tool to help promote Amtrak to younger people.

“Keep it strong and recognize the importance, the economic engine it is to our colleges, Knox College in Galesburg and Carl Sandburg College,” Moffitt said.

The National Association of Railroad Passengers said 98,898 passengers were served by the Galesburg station last year, as well as 4,853 passengers connecting to a bus service.

The new transportation hub also provides more space for luggage and it has new seating.  The facility is 1,400 square feet larger as a result of the renovation project.