WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday announced a $27.5 million loan to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District for the South Shore Line’s Double Track Project, adding a second main line to the commuter route between Gary and Michigan City, Ind.
“We are pleased to help finance the Double Track Project, which will increase safety, reliability and cut travel time by one-third for commuters from Michigan City to Chicago,” Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said in a press release. “This project will deliver improved trip options, taking vehicles off the road and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”
The 27.5-mile project includes elimination of 13 grade crossings, separation of road and rail traffic along 2 miles of previous street running, and upgrades at five stations. It is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
The new loan, under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program, follows an earlier $203.3 million loan for the West Lake Corridor project [see “South Shore’s West Lake Corridor lands federal loan,” Trains News Wire, June 20, 2022] and a grant of more than $354 million for the West Lake project.
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