More Funding For South Shore Line Projects

A plan is required for any state seeking federal rail funding.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Board of Trustees has approved more than $1.1 billion in investment into the South Shore Line. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report improvements include the West Lake Corridor extension and Double Track projects.

The funding will also cover the rerouting of the South Shore Line’s approach to South Bend International Airport, the purchase of new rail cars and the completion of a federally-mandated safety project, according to the publication. The funding will last for five years and South Shore President and General Manager Michael Noland says the face of the railroad will look "significantly different" when the projects are complete.

The West Lake Corridor project will extend the South Shore Line south from Hammond to Dyer. The double tracking project will add a second full track to the South Shore Line from Gary to Michigan City, which official say will reduce travel times to and from Chicago.

You can learn more about each project involved in the investment approved by the NICTD board from The Times by clicking here.