The Federal Transit Administration announced Thursday that it is granting $173 million to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to build a second set of tracks between Gary and Michigan City.
The federal grant completes funding for the long-awaited Double Track NWI project, intended to improve the South Shore Line’s speed and reliability.
“By improving commuter rail through the region, the project is a game changer for northwest Indiana and the entire state,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said in his announcement.
The state has committed nearly $200 million toward the project, which will cost $491 million with financing costs. Another $120 million will come from northern Indiana, including the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority as well as LaPorte County, Michigan City and St. Joseph County.
Holcomb noted that NICTD’s other major project, the eight-mile West Lake Corridor between Hammond and the Munster/Dyer border, received its final federal grant approval in October.
Construction on both projects will begin this year.
Michael Noland, the South Shore Line’s president, said that with the funding assured, the railroad began issuing bid invitations Thursday to companies interested in working on the three largest parts of Double Track.
The largest contract includes new tracks, bridges, signals and overhead power lines between Gary and Michigan City, as well as new boarding platforms. New stations at Miller and downtown Michigan City will be in separate contracts. Bids on those contracts will be opened April 7.
“This is a big day for the railroad,” Noland said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said he was “very pleased” with the grant announcement and predicted it will lead to more business interest in Gary.
“This catalytic investment will supercharge additional investment in the area,” he said. “Here’s the greatest indication we can move forward.”
Prince, a member of the NICTD governing board, added that Gary is working on transit-oriented development districts in downtown Gary, around the Gary Metro station, as well as around the Miller station.
Noland thanked Jane Williams, the FTA’s acting administrator, for completing the grant award in the current federal administration’s waning days.
The FTA’s official announcement came on the day that U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chau announced she will be resigning in the wake of Wednesday’s attack on the U.S. Capitol by protesters loyal to President Donald Trump. Chau’s husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, was in the Capitol during the attack.
Noland said Chau was an enthusiastic supporter of NICTD’s West Lake and Double Track projects, thanks to a meeting U.S. Sen. Todd Young arranged between her and state and railroad officials at the South Bend airport a couple of years ago.
“She heard directly about the enthusiasm, support and return on investment for the residents of the state,” Noland said. “She looked on that at a model for the rest of the country.”
More support is likely from former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, whom President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate for Secretary of Transportation.
“He understands commuter rail,” Noland said.
Buttigieg supported the Double Track project for its promise to improve connections between Chicago and South Bend.
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