Gov. Eric Holcomb and regional leaders gathered May 13 for a ribbon cutting of the Double Track Northwest Indiana project.
The $650 million project was completed on time and under budget. It adds almost 18 miles of new track along a 26-mile corridor, adds 14 new trains to its schedule and reduces travel times to and from Chicago. The new schedule takes effect May 14.
“One hundred years later, this double track project will continue to transform Northwest Indiana for generations to come,” Holcomb said in a press release. “This game-changing project is yet another example of how the state of Indiana continues to make targeted investments that attract talent and commercial investment that in turn helps our communities take it to their next level.”
Sen. Todd Young; Rep. Rudy Yakym; Rep. Frank Mrvan; Michael Noland, president of the South Shore Line; Sherri Ziller, president of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority; and INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith were on hand at the Miller Station in Gary.
“Double tracking the South Shore Line is one of the largest infrastructure investment in the railroad’s history,” said Michael Noland, president of the South Shore Line. “With the additional track, high-speed crossovers and high-level boarding platforms now in place, we can deliver far superior commuter rail service to our riders with greater train frequency, better on-time performance and dramatically reduced times to and from Chicago.”
Funding for the project included:
- $173 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program
- $24 million from the American Rescue Program
- $340 million from the state
- $80 million from local organizations
- $30 million from the NICTD
“The level of coordination between the state and local governments along the corridor has been remarkable,” Sen. Todd Young said. “… Countless individuals worked for decades to see the double-track project become a reality, and thousands of Hoosiers will benefit from their tireless commitment.”
The companion $950 million West Lake Corridor project is expected to be competed in May 2025.
The two projects combined are expected to attract $2.7 billion in private investment in the Region, along with 6,000 new jobs.
Caption: Gov. Eric Holcomb and regional leaders gathered May 13 for a ribbon cutting at Miller Station of the Double Track Northwest Indiana project. (Provided by Gov. Eric Holcomb)
