A Rich Rail Transit History

RAILWAY AGE SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE: In his on line article Happy 75th, CTA!, Contributing Editor David Peter Alan makes reference to CTA’s Skokie Swift, now known as the Yellow Line, as the

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb tweeted on June 20: “Today we celebrated the @southshoreline Double Track groundbreaking, going full speed ahead to make it a Region reality. With all partners aboard, Northwest Indiana's on track to become more connected than ever before, and the Region is – and will be – the place to be.” (Photograph Courtesy of Gov. Holcomb, via Twitter)

NICTD’s South Shore Double-Track Project Under Way

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb on June 20 was joined by federal, state, regional and local officials to break ground on the double-tracking of the South Shore Line from Michigan City, Ind., to Gary, Ind.

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) 8-mile single-track extension of South Shore Line commuter rail service will run from Hammond, Ind., (north) to Dyer, Ind. (south) and include four new stations. (Photograph Courtesy of NICTD)

‘West Lake Corridor’ Commuter Rail Project Advancing

A $203.3 million Rehabilitation and Improvement (RRIF) Program loan will help finance and advance the 8-mile extension of South Shore Line commuter rail service in Indiana, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) reported on June 17.

Transit Briefs: Chicago DOT, FTA

The Chicago (Ill.) Department of Transportation (CDOT) has released a strategic transportation plan that it’s calling “the nation’s first” urban plan developed in the wake of the pandemic, economic and racial justice crises of 2020. Also, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is now accepting applications for its Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation.

Commentary

Second in a Series: Complete Streets, Incomplete Transit

In my last report, I looked at Pete Buttigieg, President-elect Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Transportation, and what he would bring to the post. I looked at his own concepts as he expressed them in his acceptance speech, how he might serve USDOT’s business constituents, and his background. Part of that background is the time he spent as mayor of South Bend, a post he occupied starting in 2012. As I will describe in this article, he can claim some credit as an urbanist with his “Smart Streets” policy for the city’s downtown area, but local bus service remains limited, and the passenger trains that ostensibly run to South Bend do not go anywhere near downtown.

FTA Signs FFGAs for NICTD, Phoenix Metro Projects

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has signed Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGAs) for Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) Double Track Northwest Indiana Project and for Valley Metro’s South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub Project in Phoenix.

NICTD Launches West Lake Corridor Project

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) held a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for its West Lake Corridor Project, extending the South Shore Line commuter rail service 7.8 miles from Hammond (on the north) to Dyer (on the south).

NICTD/South Shore Line President Mike Noland: Rail Group On Air Podcast

This edition of Railway Age’s Rail Group On Air podcast series with the Commuter Rail Coalition features Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District/South Shore Line President and CRC Vice Chairman Mike Noland. Editor-in-Chief

NICTD Receives Environmental Award

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) recently received an Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for its environmental documentation for the West Lake Corridor project.

FONSI clears South Shore double-track plan

A project to double-track Indiana’s South Shore Line got a “green” light following federal environmental approvals for the commuter rail route.

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