The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) has unveiled a comprehensive 20-year plan for the South Shore Line. This plan aims to replace rolling stock, extend service, and include several major projects.

Strategic Plan Approval

The NICTD board has officially approved this strategic plan. It features a detailed map outlining proposed extension corridors and key stops currently under consideration. Director of Strategic Planning and Grants, Kelly Wenger, highlighted that the plan spans 137 pages and took 1.5 years to develop.

“We prioritized public input,” Wenger stated, noting contributions from 4,400 passengers, 2,224 members of the public, and 51 employees via surveys. Additionally, insights from five peer railroads were gathered.

Wenger expressed surprise at the number of plans at NICTD, including a prior comprehensive plan from 2014, which saw substantial completion within a decade.

Current Projects and Federal Grants

Recent endeavors include the completion of the Double Track NWI project and operational service through the Monon Corridor. A fourth track is under construction at Millennium Station. NICTD is pursuing three federal grants to relocate the South Bend International Airport station. This proposed move would eliminate over a dozen grade crossings.

NICTD President David Dech expressed optimism about the grant process, emphasizing efforts from the railroad’s lobbying team in Washington, DC.

Station Upgrades and Additions

Plans are underway to replace the Gary Metro Station. This new facility will accommodate Gary Public Transportation Corp. buses with 12 designated bays. Hammond is independently funding a downtown station, set to complete in one year. NICTD is contemplating a new station in New Carlisle.

Maintenance and Quiet Zones

With the Monon Corridor launch, there is a need for additional maintenance capacity at the Michigan City facility, involving departmental relocations to the Pines yard. Plans include a new maintenance site at Hammond. A quiet zone, spanning 7.5 miles, is proposed in Gary. This initiative involves crossing adjustments, including closures and modifications.

Rolling Stock Replacement

A top priority involves replacing aging rail cars. Currently, the fleet consists of 82 cars, averaging nearly 34 years old. NICTD has leased 26 cars from Metra for service expansion. The goal is to meet federal standards by enhancing the fleet size, potentially incorporating hybrid battery-electric cars.

Potential Rail Extensions

Without a catenary system, several rail expansions are possible. Proposed routes include extensions to Lowell, Valparaiso, and Porter Regional Airport. Some routes align with the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority’s earlier strategic plans.

Agency Partnerships

The South Shore Line is exploring partnerships with bus lines and transit services to enhance commuter experiences. Coordinated fares with the CTA and Metra are under consideration. Connections with institutions like the University of Notre Dame and state parks are planned, with potential shuttle services for events.

Transit-Oriented Development

Transit-oriented development encourages residential proximity to stations. Current projects, like The Banc in Hammond and The Franklin in Michigan City, are making strides. Although Valparaiso opted out of establishing a transit development district, others are progressing, potentially boosting attractiveness through infrastructural improvements.

NICTD aims to link visitors with communities via multimedia content, enhancing both ridership and regional appeal.

Doug Ross contributed as a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.