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<p>In 1904, the Rockdale, Joliet & Lockport Terminal Railway (RJ&LT) began construction on a new 6-mile railroad, extending from the existing Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E) mainline at Crest Hill, Illinois to Rockdale, Illinois. The route was largely completed by 1906. The line was mainly constructed to serve industries along the Illinois River in the Rockdale area. The line quickly became part of the EJ&E. The EJ&E formed an outer belt around Chicago, connecting to all railroads entering the city. This line served as a branch line for the railroad. In addition, the EJ&E served the numerous steel mills located along Lake Michigan. During the late 1890s, steel companies were utilizing vertical integration to streamline operations. The railroad would become a subsidiary of Illinois Steel in 1898, later becoming part of Federal Steel Company, and eventually United States Steel Corporation in 1901. Under US Steel, the EJ&E would retain its name. During the 20th Century, the branch slowly diminished in importance as industries closed. In 1988, US Steel sold the EJ&E to Transtar, a holding company. The EJ&E would abandon this line in 1991, after a fire damaged a bridge. In 1994, the Joliet Junction Railroad was formed to operate the route. This railroad operated the line until 1999, when it was abandoned. It was purchased by Will County, and most of the line now serves as the Joliet Junction Trail.<br><br></p>
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