SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to approve an agreement for the county to commit more than $18 million toward a project that would shave an hour off the South-Bend-to-Chicago train trip on the South Shore Line.
Republican Commissioners Andy Kostielney and Deb Fleming voted in favor of the agreement with the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, and Commissioner Dave Thomas, a Democrat, voted against it. The vote gave final approval to the agreement, which was already approved by the city's commission.
Under the agreement, the county’s money has been committed toward a $290 million project to double-track a 16-mile stretch of the South Shore Line between Gary and Michigan City, eliminating the need to wait for freight trains.
As part of the deal, South Bend committed up to $25 million to realign the rail line’s approach to South Bend International Airport so that it takes a more direct route from the west instead of looping from the east.
The goal is to complete both projects by 2020, reducing the South Bend-to-Chicago trip, and vice versa, from its current two and a half hours to 90 minutes. Most of the time would be shaved from the double-tracking project, while the airport realignment would cut about 10 minutes.
During the meeting, some city residents whose homes could be displaced by the airport realignment voiced their opposition to the project. Business leaders and economic development officials, however, voiced their support.
After hearing public comments, Kostielney and Fleming lauded the project.
Fleming said "nothing has been significantly changed" in the county for several years and that she is "all for progressing and moving forward with things."
To fund the $290 million project, 50 percent would come from the federal government, 25 percent from the state, and 25 percent jointly from Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties. Each county would contribute $18.25 million. The state has already approved its $72.5 million share.