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 21 2009, 08:13 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...ArticleID=26495
QUOTE City to consider test of street closings Alicia Ebaugh Staff Writer MICHIGAN CITY - A request for a test to close 17 streets in the middle of the city was sent to the city's planning and engineering departments for more input Monday. The Board of Public Works and Safety decided to get more input on the temporary closures because of the preparation that would be needed to do them, Mayor Chuck Oberlie said. Members of the North End Committee requested the closures so residents could better understand how the South Shore commuter line's relocation plan would affect them. "I thought they moved forward in the right direction," said John Pavy, a North End Committee member pushing for the week-long temporary closure. "It will bring public awareness to what might happen if NICTD is allowed to shut down half the cross streets along 11th Street. It's a big deal. Anyone who traverses the city will be affected." The North End Committee requested the closures occur at the end of the month, but if they are approved, it will not be before the board meets again Nov. 2. Michigan City Police Sgt. Jeff Loniewski, who deals with many of the city's traffic issues, said at the meeting he would not support the temporary closures. "It wouldn't provide an accurate perspective of what the intersections would look like in the future," Loniewski said. "There would be modifications made to help guide traffic with that plan that won't be in place here." The North End Committee has argued in favor of rerouting the South Shore commuter line north to a rouwte adjacent to the present Amtrak route. It opposes the realignment plan made by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. That plan would meet federally mandated safety standards by creating a new station with an elevated platform at 11th and Washington streets, and would close half of the current cross streets to through traffic along that route, nearly all along 11th Street. If the board agrees to close the streets for one week, North End Committee member Joe Condon said, the group will run an advertisement explaining the street closings and inviting them to a public meeting to voice their opinions. |
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