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. |
Oct 16 2009, 10:22 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...ArticleID=26413
QUOTE Our Opinion: The Issue: Opponent of street closings calls for test. Our Opinion: City shouldn't dismiss request lightly. Street closings South Shore would close crossings Editorial A city resident wants the Michigan City Board of Works to close 17 streets that intersect 11th Street as a test. Joe Condon of the North End Committee said the city should close those streets so people can see what cross-town travel would be like if the South Shore tracks are relocated to the south edge of the pavement for the length of 11th Street. It's a clever proposal, designed to generate interest in the issue - and opposition. But it's also an idea the board shouldn't dismiss lightly. Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore commuter service, says it needs to relocate the tracks out of the middle of 11th and 10th streets and close half the streets in the city that now cross the South Shore. Opponents say the street closings, along with a fenced-off South Shore corridor, would split the city in two, making travel for motorists and pedestrians more difficult, and it would be ugly, to boot. While NICTD has been developing this plan for years and is committed to this alternative for a new route, opponents are urging city officials, who would be a partner in the relocation, to reject the 11th Street plan and consider something else, such as a northern corridor adjacent to the Amtrak line. A public forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the City Hall Council Chamber on the railroad relocation. Relocating the South Shore is no simple matter. It would cost $65 million. It would take more than 150 residential and commercial properties from city tax rolls. The tax dollars they generate will be gone forever because NICTD does not pay property taxes as a public entity. And it would split neighborhoods, if not the city. The Board of Works might not want to close the streets as a test. But if it isn't willing to do that, why would the city be willing to let them be closed permanently? |
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