“This project will deliver improved trip options, taking vehicles off the road and reducing harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions," said Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg.

USDOT: $27.5MM to Upgrade Indiana’s South Shore Line

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 22 announced that its Build America Bureau (Bureau) has provided a $27.5 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan for a portion of the $649 million Double Track Project along a 26.6-mile segment of the South Shore Line between Gary and Michigan City, Ind.

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.

Supply Side: HDR, L.B. Foster

HDR advisors have helped three transit agencies secure a total of $1.23 billion for four projects under the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program; L.B. Foster Co. has hired a new Senior Vice President and CFO.

NICTD Advances Railcar, Track Projects

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) Board of Directors has approved the lease of 26 bi-level EMUs from Metra to boost capacity on the South Shore Line as it advances two expansion projects that, once online, will add 26 trains per day to the schedule.

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.

FTA Allocates $544.3MM to Seven Transit Projects

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will allocate $544.3 million to seven transit infrastructure projects—five rail-specific— through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program. This discretionary grant program funds capital investments in rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars and bus rapid transit (BRT).

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