Infrastructure

Will County has always been at the crossroads of North American trade, starting with the early river trade on the I & M Canal in the 1800s and through the development of the transcontinental railroads and the federal highway system. Today, Will County lies at the crux of global import and export routes, due largely to its geographical location near the Chicago area trade hub.

Map of Will County’s extensive transportation and logistics assets
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Seeking to avoid the congestion that afflicts Chicago, the freight and logistics industry has recently selected Will County where there are multiple rail lines, highways, airports, and waterways in one region, developable land and an existing concentration of logistics-based businesses. Since 2002, the BNSF and UP, two Class I railroads serving western US coastal ports have developed modern intermodal yards in Will County. Combined, these intermodals are 1,750 acres in size and anchor 3,700 acres of industrial park development with unprecedented rail access. These intermodal facilities represent over $3 billion of private investment in local infrastructure and have both direct and indirect economic benefits for the community. Will County industrial space increased by 125% in the last decade. The majority of this new space is being used for distribution and logistics activities.

BNSF & UP Intermodal Facilities in Will County
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