The Northern
Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) is announcing that it can
now enter the final engineering phase of the Double Track Northwest Indiana
project, after receiving approval to enter the New Starts Engineering phase
of the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant Program.
“The Double Track
project will greatly reduce travel time between Northwest Indiana and
Chicago--a great advantage to the region as we build economic
competitiveness and attract talent,” Gov. Holcomb said in a statement
released by NICTD this morning. “I’m grateful for our strong partnerships at
the state, local, and federal levels that have positioned this
transformative project to move forward and I couldn’t be more excited to
take the next steps.”
Double Track
Northwest Indiana will include the addition of a second 26-mile mainline
track between Michigan City and Gary, along with improvements at five
stations, the expansion of parking lots with 1,300 new spaces, and nine new
platforms. “Significant safety improvements will be made in Michigan City,
where the rail will be separated from the roadway and 21 at-grade crossings
will be closed,” the statement said. “The project is expected to more than
double existing South Shore ridership and reduce travel times for all riders
traveling east of Gary.”
“I thank Gov.
Holcomb, Sens. Young and Braun, Rep. Walorski, our state legislators, and
the public officials of LaPorte County, St. Joe County, and Michigan City,”
U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, said. “I am also grateful to Bill Hanna
with the RDA and everyone at NICTD for having the vision and persistence to
work hard and collaborate to help our region reach this milestone for the
Double Track project. The project enhances the strength and efficiency of
our entire public transportation system and further allows our regional
economy to support the next generation of residents and workers.”
“We are thrilled to
announce that the Double Track Northwest Indiana project has reached this
critical milestone in the FTA’s Capital Investment Grant program,” NICTD
President and CEO Michael Noland said. “This continued hard work of the
project team and the full support of Gov. Holcomb, the Indiana General
Assembly, and our Hoosier congressional delegation is reflected in reaching
this critical milestone.”
Together, the
Double Track Northwest Indiana and the West Lake Corridor Project are
projected to attract approximately $2.3 billion in private investment in
Northwest Indiana and result in more than 6,000 new jobs and $3 billion in
economic impact by 2048.
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