Southern Illinois Multi Modal Station (SIMMS)

Description: The City of Carbondale was awarded a $13.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program for the Southern Illinois Multi Modal Station (SIMMS) project, a new transportation center in downtown Carbondale. The grant will be utilized for the design and construction of the new multi-modal transportation center, as well as the demolition of the existing Amtrak station.  

Anticipated Construction Start Date: Fall 2022

Anticipated Construction Completion Date: Spring 2024 

Location: Downtown Carbondale on the east side of South Illinois Avenue

Estimated Project Cost: $17,482,500

Funding Source: $13,986,000 from BUILD Grant, $2,800,000 from IDOT Transit Improvement Program, remaining work will be funded by the City.  

Contractor: TBD

Project Impact: TBD

Construction Updates

3/1/2022 - Submitted construction documents to Amtrak for 60% review. 

11/24/2021 - Submitted construction documents to Amtrak for 30% review.  

7/15/2021 - A public meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, July 29, 2021, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Civic Center. The meeting will allow the public to engage with consultants and offer feedback regarding the final design of the downtown transportation center. 

4/29/2021 - The City of Carbondale selected Design Works and hmb Architects LLC to design the new downtown transportation center. The design process will include opportunities for the public to engage with the consultants and offer feedback regarding the final design. The City expects a preliminary design for review by the City Council in late 2021. 

12/22/2020 - IDOT announced plans to contribute an additional $300,000 to the construction project, raising their contribution to $2.8 million. 

10/21/2020 – MBE plan approved

07/01/2020 – Federal Transit Administration Agreement approved

06/08/2020 – NEPA categorical exclusion granted

11/6/2019 – City of Carbondale awarded BUILD grant