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Photo of the truck entry for the BNSF LPC Railway - Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood, IL
Development Overview

CenterPoint Intermodal Center: The Catalyst for Transformation

The redevelopment of the Joliet Arsenal into a global logistics hub began with the creation of CenterPoint Intermodal Center, the largest master-planned inland port in North America. This 6,300-acre logistics and transportation hub has transformed Will County into a national leader in logistics and trade.

Photo of a crane at the Union Pacific Joliet Intermodal Terminal

Strategic Terminals Powering Growth 01 / 04

At the heart of CenterPoint’s success are its two premier intermodal terminals:

BNSF Logistics Park Chicago

A cutting-edge terminal handling millions of containers annually, offering direct access to global markets.

Union Pacific Joliet Intermodal Terminal

A critical link in North America’s supply chain, streamlining freight movement across the country.

Through its strategic location and best-in-class infrastructure, CenterPoint Intermodal Center has attracted some of the world’s largest companies, establishing Will County as a premier logistics destination.

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Development Story Play Video
A rail worker in the Union Pacific Joliet Intermodal Terminal checking on a container

Laying the Groundwork for Regional Success 02 / 04

Before the redevelopment, the Joliet Arsenal was a decommissioned military site, requiring extensive remediation and repurposing. Recognizing its strategic location at the crossroads of major transportation corridors, JADA, in collaboration with CenterPoint Properties, developed a blueprint for long-term economic success:

  • $3 billion in private investment fueling industrial expansion.
  • 40+ million square feet of industrial space supporting logistics, e-commerce, and advanced manufacturing.
  • 75 million bushels of agricultural exports annually, reinforcing the region’s role in global trade.
  • 6,300 acres redeveloped into business parks, warehouses, and distribution centers.
Photo of a container yard and new development in Joliet, IL

Expanding Business & Industrial Parks 03 / 04

The success of CenterPoint Intermodal Center paved the way for the development of multiple business parks, attracting diverse industries and expanding job opportunities:

Island City Industrial Park

Home to the International Union of Operating Engineers' advanced training facility.

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Exterior image of Jackson Generation, a $1 billion power facility in Elwood, IL

Joliet Arsenal Enterprise Zone 04 / 04

The Joliet Arsenal Enterprise Zone (JAEZ) was created in 2002 by Will County to foster development in and around the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, known as the Joliet Arsenal, which was decommissioned by the US Army in 1993.

The Joliet Arsenal Development Authority (JADA) assists Will County with the application process for new tenants to the zone. The Zone has a successful history of creating employment and investment opportunities at the Elwood CenterPoint Intermodal Facility, the Local 150 training center, the Exxon Mobil refinery, RidgePortLogistics Center in Wilmington, CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet, Jackson Power in Elwood and most recently the Invenergy Center for Excellence in Bolingbrook.

Enterprise Zone Incentives

The Illinois Enterprise Zone Program offers state and local tax breaks and regulatory relief to encourage business growth, investment, job creation, and revitalization in designated economically distressed areas.

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The Next Phase: Island City Industrial Park

Island City Industrial Park represents the next step in redeveloping former Joliet Arsenal land.

This 700+ acre site, located on the northern edge of Wilmington, Illinois, is being developed by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, supported by JADA and a State of Illinois Mega Sites Grant. With proximity to the CenterPoint Intermodal Center and key freight corridors, the site strengthens Will County’s position as a national logistics leader.

Site Highlights
  • 700+ acres of shovel-ready industrial land
  • Access to I-55, I-80, I-57, BNSF, and Union Pacific terminals
  • Full utility and roadway infrastructure in place
  • Located in the Joliet Arsenal Enterprise Zone with tax and permitting incentives
  • Adjacent to Local 150’s training facility and a 70-acre logistics repair site
Development Goals
  • Attract industrial, logistics, energy, technology, and manufacturing users
  • Support long-term job creation and union-led workforce training
  • Leverage infrastructure and incentives for regional growth
Exterior photo of the American Flag and Local 150 Office sign
Photo of the Local 150 Office
Two Local 150 Engineer Operators discussing on a construction site
Public Transit & Connectivity

Driving Access for Freight and Workforce Mobility

As industrial and logistics operations expanded, JADA prioritized critical infrastructure investments to enhance freight movement and workforce mobility:
I-55 and Arsenal Road Interchange

A redesigned "free flow" interchange that enhances traffic efficiency and safety for commercial and passenger vehicles.

I-80 and Houbolt Road Interchange

A first-of-its-kind Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Houbolt Road under I-80 that improves safety, traffic flow, and access across this vital Joliet corridor.

Houbolt Road Extension

A privately financed public-private partnership providing direct access between I-80 and the Inland Port, reducing congestion and improving freight efficiency.

PACE Public Transit Expansion

New routes and services connecting workers to job opportunities, reducing reliance on personal vehicles and promoting sustainable workforce mobility.

In Conclusion

These investments are ensuring long-term connectivity for businesses and workers, making Will County one of the most accessible and strategically positioned logistics hubs in the country.

Aerial photo of a small shipping train in Joliet, IL
JADA branded development map of the greater Joliet area numbered

A Model for the Future

The redevelopment of the Joliet Arsenal proves that economic growth, sustainability, and smart infrastructure planning can work hand-in-hand.

 

Through visionary leadership and strong partnerships, JADA has built a thriving industrial ecosystem that will continue to shape the region’s future for generations to come.

  1. CenterPoint Intermodal Center
  2. Clarius Park Joliet
  3. Jackson Generation
  4. Rock Creek Logistics Center
  5. Laraway Crossings
  6. Joliet Logistics Park
  7. Elion Logistics Park
  8. Cherry Hill Business Park
  9. Island City Industrial Park
  10. BNSF Logistics Park Chicago
  11. UP Joliet Intermodal Terminal
  12. I-55 Interchange
  13. Houbolt Road Extension
  14. I-80 Interchange