St. Joseph County and South Bend have averaged modest population growth each of the past four years, but they’ve trailed the state of Indiana’s growth rate, according to recently released Census Bureau estimates.
City, county and business leaders say they have a prime opportunity to change that by double-tracking part of the South Shore Line, which would eliminate the need for the passenger line to wait for oncoming freight trains, and realigning the South Shore’s approach to South Bend International Airport.
They say the work, when finished in 2020, will reduce the South Bend-to-Chicago trip from its current 2.5 hours to 90 minutes, and possibly down to 75 minutes on a special limited-stop trip each weekday morning and evening.
The projected $290 million project would be funded 50 percent by the federal government, 25 percent by the state, and 25 percent jointly by Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties. Each county would contribute $18.25 million to double-track about 16 miles of railroad between Gary and Michigan City. The Indiana General Assembly approved $72.5 million in state funding this year and Gov. Eric Holcomb signed it into law.
Local officials expect to receive a preliminary indication in October or November, when the Federal Transit Administration “scores” the project, whether it will receive the federal money next year. Without it, the project is dead, said St. Joseph County Commissioner President Andy Kostielney.
But in order to hit their “90 by 2020” target, city and county leaders can’t wait until next year to start putting the pieces in place, said Jeff Rea, South Bend Regional Chamber president. At their meeting Tuesday, St. Joseph County commissioners are slated to consider an agreement requiring the county to contribute its $18.25 million. The city’s redevelopment commission last week approved the agreement, committing it to spend up to $25 million for the new airport approach.