The South Shore Line will implement a new train schedule May 14 that expands service and reflects reduced travel times as a result of the recently completed Double Track NWI project.

“The final completion of Double Track allows for the addition of 14 weekday trains, revised times, reduced travel times and new, limited-stop express service,” said Michael Noland, president of South Shore Line. “In addition to new weekday trains, portions of weekend train times have also been modified to reflect improved travel times.”

The new schedule provides 53 trains to and from Chicago.

The South Shore listed these as highlights of the new service:
  • Increased origination service out of the new Miller Station and new 11th Street (Michigan City) Station
  • Additional morning and afternoon rush hour train time options
  • New limited-stop express train service
  • High-level platform ADA access at 11th Street, Portage/Ogden Dunes, and Miller train stations
  • Bikes on Trains expansion to all trains, all year long, at stations that accommodate bikes. With completion of Double Track, three stations — 11th Street, Portage/Ogden Dunes and Miller — have been added to that list

The new limited-stop express train service will offer the following travel times to Chicago:

Gary (Miller) — 46 minutes
Portage/Ogden Dunes — 51 minutes
Dune Park — 57 minutes
Michigan City — 67 minutes
South Bend — 109 minutes

The three-year, $650 million Double Track project added a second set of rails to single-track territory between Gary and Michigan City, including a move of the railway from the middle of Michigan City's streets. It also include construction of two stations and renovation and reconstruction of platforms at several others, as well as installation of four new bridges.

The work caused considerable disruption for passengers, including busing between stations.

“We sincerely appreciate passengers’ patience and understanding throughout the construction, temporary busing and schedule revisions required in order to reach substantial completion of the Double Track project,” said project manager Nicole Barker, the director of capital investment and implementation for the South Shore.
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