2 South Shore Line rail projects poised for federal funding

MUNSTER, Ind. (AP) - Two projects aimed at improving the commute between northwest Indiana and Chicago are poised to make strides in the new year.

The South Shore Line is hoping for more than $400 million in federal funding to pay for about half the costs of both projects, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported (http://bit.ly/2h88DX7).

One project is the $615 million West Lake Corridor project, which would extend the South Shore Line south from Hammond to Dyer. The other is Double Track NWI, an estimated $250 million project would add a second track between Gary and Michigan City.

"We know that when we make this investment, ridership will follow," South Shore President Michael Noland said.

The West Lake Corridor project would include four new South Shore Line stations - two in Hammond, one in Munster and one on the border of Munster and Dyer. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore Line, hopes to start service on the new line in 2022.

The next step would be for NICTD to complete a final environmental impact statement and request grant money from the Federal Transit Administration late next summer.

NICTD next year also plans to apply for a federal grant for the Double Track NWI project, which is aimed at speeding commuting times to Chicago and increase train frequency.

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and North Central Indiana Regional Development Authority are paying for $4 million in engineering work to firm up plans for the Double Track NWI project.

Supporters of both projects say they could transform northwestern Indiana by increasing population, raising tax revenue and promoting property development.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.nwitimes.com