South Shore plans $65 million project |
South Shore plans $65 million project |
Jun 9 2009, 01:25 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,426 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=39824.82
QUOTE 17 crossings may be eliminated The NICTD preliminary concept for rerouting the South Shore through Michigan City eliminates 17 of the current 34 street crossings. The 17 intersections are marked on the preliminary concept for the South Shore relocation. While the crossing at Washington Street is not Xed out, that is the proposed location for a new train station. Based on the plan, the following crossings would be closed: Carlon Court and adjacent alley, Donnelly Street and adjacent alley, Claire Street, Kentucky Street, Tennessee Street, Elston Street, Manhattan Street, Buffalo Street, Spring Street, Cedar Street, Lafayette Street, York Street, Oak Street, Maple Street and Phillips Avenue. More South Shore details released Laurie Wink The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - Property owners with parcels south of current South Shore tracks on 10th and 11th streets await an uncertain future until plans for realigning the commuter train are adopted. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District operates the South Shore and announced last week it intends to significantly re-configure more than two miles of track running through Michigan City. NICTD's preliminary downtown rerouting concept, developed by TranSystems of Chicago, shows the tracks heading south of 10th Street at Sheridan Avenue and proceeding through town to a point just east of Michigan Boulevard, where the regular route resumes. John Parsons, NICTD spokesperson, said properties north of 11th Street will not be affected. He said the specific houses and properties that would be impacted by the change have not yet been identified. He said the project, estimated at $65 million, has been developed at a "gross level of detail" and changes could be made as the engineering process moves forward. A map labeled "Preliminary Downtown Reroute Concept" shows a South Shore station and 775-space parking area between Franklin and Wabash streets and from Warren Street north to 11th Street. The map includes station information that lists the current 11th Street parking lot at 42 spaces and the Carroll Avenue station at 155 spaces. Those stations would be replaced with the new downtown station. The new route is designed to eliminate the curve between 10th and 11th streets near the Amtrak intersection, and also remove the curve at Cedar and Lafayette streets. As now indicated on the map, the tracks run parallel but one row of houses south of the existing 11th street tracks between Kentucky Street and Michigan Boulevard. At Sheridan Avenue, looking east, the proposed route angles to the right, eventually running well behind the houses on the south side of 10th Street and linking directly with the portion of track that would be just south of 11th Street. Chicago Street would be rerouted, but it would retain a crossing of the South Shore tracks. Depending on funding and station design, Parsons said a parking ramp could be constructed, allowing for private developers to create an activity center in the areas surrounding the station. An environmental impact statement will be required before property can be purchased, Parsons said. "An environmental impact statement and public hearing are required as part of the process," he said. "The specifics will follow as part of the on-going process to qualify for federal funding." NICTD has yet to obtain funding for the detailed engineering plan that comes next, Parsons said. Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie has reviewed the NICTD preliminary downtown route and will present the plan to the City Council for its approval. Parsons expects some issues to be raised by the council at that point. "We certainly want to develop a plan in concert with Michigan City that meets their needs," Parsons said. Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com. |
Jul 30 2009, 09:33 AM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,426 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=39992.15
QUOTE Breakout groups discuss key elements of South Shore relocation Deborah Sederberg The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - More than 150 people attended a meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the relocation of South Shore tracks. While John Parsons, planning and marketing manager of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, said he and Gerald Hanas, NICTD general manager, were there to hear from the community, no one should expect to hear a lot of answers at the meeting. "This is just the beginning of the process," he said. Answers will be forthcoming. Stu Sirota, principal in the TND Planning Group of Baltimore, which has been working with Michigan City on transit issues, facilitated the meeting at which about 30 people were sitting in folding chairs in the vestibule outside City Council chambers because all 112 seats in the meeting room were filled. Another 15 people lined one wall in the meeting room. Sirota too said he was looking for questions and concerns but the project is a long way from completion. NICTD's proposal calls for closing the 11th Street and Carroll Avenue stations and building a new station at 11th and Washington streets. The plan would require acquiring property along the south side of 10th and 11th streets. Sirota said other possibilities discussed over the years include moving tracks north to the AMTRAK tracks or south to the CSX tracks near Ames Field. Those in attendance adjourned to the city's all-purpose room to discuss in smaller groups a variety of concerns ranging from historic district issues to dividing one part of the community from the rest of the city if 11th Street were to be closed. Others worried about traffic during rush hour. Julie Manner, who spoke for one group of people, talked about historic issues and expressed the hope that "you would preserve something of the old (South Shore) station." She also expressed the need for pedestrian-friendly areas near the new station and perhaps historic lighting. Lou Hapke spoke to the issue of street closings. He has concerns about how well emergency vehicles will be able to negotiate new traffic patterns. Parsons said the two miles of tracks embedded in the pavement in Michigan City's streets are NICTD's two most expensive miles of track because they are expensive to maintain. Street maintenance around the tracks is expensive for the city as well. "We would like to support the 10th and 11th streets corridor," Mayor Chuck Oberlie said. He hopes the City Council will support that plan as well. "A key element in advancing the project and securing federal funding to support further analysis is the cooperation and support of the city," Parsons said. |
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