RDA gets Grant for double track eis study
http://www.in.gov/rda/files/RDA_board_m ... _NICTD.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
South Shore Double Tracking Forges Ahead
with RDA Grant for Preliminary Work
NWI RDA Board of Directors approves $1.6 million grant to NICTD to
lay the groundwork for future expansion of the existing South Shore line.
The Board of the Directors of the Northwest Indiana
Regional Development Authority (RDA) today took another step toward expanding commuter
access to Chicago with a $1.6 million matching grant to the Northern Indiana Commuter
Transportation District (NICTD) to help fund $4 million in preliminary engineering and
environmental work for the South Shore double tracking project.
“Expanding capacity on the existing South Shore line is critical to boosting the economy and
creating new jobs here in Northwest Indiana,” said Bill Hanna, President and CEO of the RDA.
“Along with the West Lake Extension, double tracking will attract new residents, new businesses
and new development to the region and put us on a sustainable, long-term path to growth.”
The double tracking project would add a second full track to the existing South Shore line from
Gary to Michigan City. Currently, the South Shore line is only double tracked from Chicago to
Tennessee Street in Gary. After that, the South Shore has only a single track for both eastbound
and westbound trains. As a result, trains must regularly slow or stop on passing sidings to allow a
train travelling in the opposite direction to pass.
Double-tracking would greatly reduce commuting times to and from Chicago by allowing the
South Shore to increase the number and speed of trains it runs each day.
This will elevate the
region above its suburban Illinois counterparts in the competition for Transit-Oriented
Development, new businesses and new residents.
Not sure why they have to make it a competition with Illinois, maybe thats what sells in Indianapolis