Chesterton Tribune

 

 

NICTD double track project cleared for final engineering

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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.

 

Posted 2/11/2020

 
 
 
 

 

 

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