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> NICTD board approves double tracking and single stop in MC
Southsider2k12
post Jul 29 2013, 11:26 AM
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http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/215...le-opinion.html

QUOTE
NICTD trustees voted to support a plan to expand to two tracks along the 10th and 11th street corridor in Michigan City.

The plan will also consolidate the two stops in Michigan City to one. The plan, according to NICTD chairman Mark Yagelski, will address the needs for the train line for the next 100 years, and is estimated to cost $100 million.

“You don’t spend that kind of money without planning for the long term,” Yagelski said.

Adding a second track is still a few years away, and NICTD will have to find funding for the project.

The board also charged staff to start a search for potential real estate for a secondary car storage yard to supplement the location in Michigan City.

The board approved a contract with Gannett Fleming Inc. of Audubon, Pa. for no more than $6,954,830 to help NICTD install a federally mandated system designed to prevent train collisions and improve safety. The project is required to be operational by the end of 2015.

15 car sets of AC propulsion equipment will be purchased from Toshiba International in Houston, Texas for about $2.6 million.

NICTD will also spend $301,424 for a digger-derrick truck from Altec of Indianapolis, and $447,000 on 30,000 feet of catenary feeder cable from Wesco of Hammond, but the cost of the cable could be readjusted based on the cost of copper at the time of purchase.
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taxthedeer
post Jul 29 2013, 11:31 AM
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Where will the single stop in Michigan City be located?

NICTD needs to eliminate the Miller and Clark Ave. stops in Gary as well, that would make the trip to and from Chicago much quicker.
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Southsider2k12
post Jul 30 2013, 12:52 PM
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NEWS PRESS RELEASE:
The City of Michigan City and NICTD Reach Consensus on a Preferred Alignment for the South Shore Rail LineThe Management Oversight Group (MOG) comprised of representatives from Michigan City and NICTD (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) has reached a consensus on the 10th/11th St. Central alignment alternative as the preferred alignment for the South Shore Line in Michigan City.This decision was reached after an extensive, 2 year-long evaluative and progressive screening process the goal of which was to identify a preferred rail alignment that is in the best interests of NICTD and the City of Michigan City. The MOG has directed the engineering consultant Transystems to close out the TIGER II grant process and issue the final report of the project confirming the 10th/11th St. Central alignment as the preferred alignment.The project, which was funded by a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grant, required the City of Michigan City and NICTD to engage in intensive discussions regarding striking a balance between sometimes conflicting interests in maximizing operational efficiency, passenger usage, and improved operations for NICTD and positive economic development impact for the city of Michigan City. Seven realignment options were analyzed based on a set of defined evaluation criteria. These criteria included improved mobility, environmental and community impact, operating efficiencies, and positive economic impact on Michigan City.For over a century, the South Shore has provided valued service to Michigan City along a 2 mile segment of single track that is embedded in the middle of 10th and 11th Streets in Michigan City. From the railroad’s perspective, this “street running” results in adverse impacts on train operations, constrains the ability to enhance capacity, increases railroad and street maintenance costs, and creates unnecessary conflicts with vehicular and pedestrian traffic. From the City’ perspective, the most important criteria in evaluating the alignments was positive economic impact on Michigan City. To address these concerns Michigan City and NICTD worked together in this selection process to explore feasible realignment options that will improve operating flexibility and capacity, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance vehicular and railroad safety as well as to better leverage the rail line for positive economic impact on Michigan City.An additional component of this study evaluated the option of developing a new, modern, intermodal station and parking facility. The construction of the new alignment is subject to a NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) environmental review and availability of federal funding and other funding sources. On the consensus, Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer said, “Michigan City has partnered with NICTD on a vision to build a new, state of the art, ADA accessible train station which will be an economic anchor to our downtown.” Meer continued, “Picture a new rail station and an enhanced 10th/11th St. corridor that all Michigan City residents can be proud of. With these improvements, the South Shore Railroad will be a powerful marketing tool to bring people to and from Chicago and South Bend and experience the tremendous assets of Michigan City’s downtown and lakefront.”
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Job
post Aug 1 2013, 07:05 AM
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It looks like the Shop's station will be closed. I don't take the train that often, but I always have used the Shop's station. However, I understand Meers' comment about a modern station downtown being an effective marketing tool. Parking would be a serious problem. The parking area at Shops has increased dramatically over the years, and I don't know how the City would find a similar amount of parking downtown.
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taxthedeer
post Aug 1 2013, 11:11 AM
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QUOTE(Job @ Aug 1 2013, 08:05 AM) *

It looks like the Shop's station will be closed. I don't take the train that often, but I always have used the Shop's station. However, I understand Meers' comment about a modern station downtown being an effective marketing tool. Parking would be a serious problem. The parking area at Shops has increased dramatically over the years, and I don't know how the City would find a similar amount of parking downtown.

Perhaps a new Westside station, south of U.S. 12 at Sheridan Rd.?

NICTD owns 1.5 acres, the 20 acres of NIPSCO property and the 2 1/2 acre Tony's marine property at Sheridan Ave. and U.S. 12 could be acquired through eminent domain all along that stretch of electric track.

This is the location where currently Eastbound trains wait for westbound trains trains to proceed through the single track, when the tracks are doubled the tracks will eliminate the need eastbound trains to wait.

http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Applicatio...131504003000022
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taxthedeer
post Aug 2 2013, 09:33 AM
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I hope that the new station has an elevated platform between the tracks. I'd like to see it built to the same specifications as the Homann Ave. station in Hammond, that station is the nicest one on the line.

Here would be four good locations for a new Michigan City South Shore station, I like my Sheridan Ave. location the best, that would be an ideal place for commuters to get on and off the train.

Sheridan Ave. & U.S. 12:

http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Applicatio...131504003000022

Chicago St. (10th & 11th St. Crossover), train station would be across from the fire station at 11th & Ohio, six blocks of homes would have to be acquired through eminent domain, Chicago, Greene, Tennessee and Kentucky Streets closed off:

http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Applicatio...132128001000022

11th & Michigan Boulevard: (The abandoned Dodge Dealership):

http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Applicatio...128336017000022

402 Royal Rd. (After today ANCO won't need it anymore):

http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Applicatio...126400008000022
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Southsider2k12
post Aug 5 2013, 09:06 AM
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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...8020bacf1e.html

QUOTE
Stan Maddux Times Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY | South Shore Line commuter trains on two tracks with quicker travel times to and from Chicago could bring even more energy to the revitalization already occurring in Michigan City's downtown.

No ground has been broken yet but a consensus reached last week between representatives of the city and railroad on where the double tracks and other significant upgrades on the line should go is a major step toward making the project happen.

The consensus opens the first door toward applying for federal dollars surely needed to fund a project estimated at slightly more than $100 million.

"We recognize their economic development desires and they recognized our operational desires," said Gerald Hanas, general manager of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the railroad.

The Management Oversight Group consisting of four members apiece from the city and NICTD agreed last week to install double tracks on an elevated platform along the existing century-old north end route, which has just a single rail in the middle of neighborhood streets.

Mayor Ron Meer, one of the city representatives on the MOG, said the agreement was necessary to start ordering studies on what impact a dual rail system could have on the environment and other quality of life issues.

Those studies are required to apply for federal funding that would pay for the brunt of the work.

"The majority of any funding for this project is going to come from the federal government," said Meer.

The group chose to put a new train station on the existing route, rather than several other proposed routes, because it cost less and will remain closer to the redevelopment occurring on the city's north end.

Meer said passengers on the upgraded line can get off at the growing Uptown Arts District and be near other attractions like the lakefront, Blue Chip Casino and Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets.

Such convenience lends itself to greater opportunities to market the north end to Chicago and South Bend.

The new train station would be more than a mile away from the casino and mall, quite a walk for some folks getting off the train. But Meer said there likely would be shuttle service provided by those entities, particularly if marketing efforts work to bring strong enough ridership.

"It's all in a pretty comprehensive plan," Meer said.

Hanas said NICTD preferred relocating the tracks farther to the south feeling being closer to major highways like U.S. 20 would mean easier access for customers to the trains.

City officials kept insisting on the existing route and, eventually, won NICTD over.

"There had to be a lot of negotiations and give and take. We believe it can work," said Hanas.
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taxthedeer
post Aug 5 2013, 02:19 PM
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QUOTE
The board also charged staff to start a search for potential real estate for a secondary car storage yard to supplement the location in Michigan City.


64 acres of the now former Federal-Mogul ANCO Windshield wiper plant on Royal Rd. just east of the existing shops would be a perfect location for the South Shore rail yard.

QUOTE
The group chose to put a new train station on the existing route, rather than several other proposed routes, because it cost less and will remain closer to the redevelopment occurring on the city's north end.

Meer said passengers on the upgraded line can get off at the growing Uptown Arts District and be near other attractions like the lakefront, Blue Chip Casino and Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets.



The Michigan City South Shore train station should be a Hammond Homann Ave. center rail platform type station at U.S. 12 & Sheridan Ave. on the West Side. That location would be most convenient for six good reasons:

1. There is plenty of acres of open NIPSCO highline and small business property for commuter parking that could be acquired.
2. Easy ingress and egress station access from U.S. 12, no commuter car or city bus route traffic will need to traverse across any of Michigan City's neighborhood residential streets.
3. The only passengers that will remain riding on the train as it travels through Michigan City in both directions are those coming from and returning back to the Hudson Lake and South Bend stations.
4. No Michigan City families that own or rent property along the tracks will be displaced from their homes to make way for South Shore station commuter parking lots.
5. Eastbound train passengers returning home to Michigan City from Chicago will no longer be delayed by the west side Amtrak train rail crossing at Huron Ave..
6. Most importantly, Just imagine what the City of Michigan City would generate from two way bus fare revenue from the brand new westside Michigan City Sheridan Ave. station from South Shore train passengers for the next century with an established route that runs and stops at destinations specifically catered to Lighthouse Mall shoppers, Downtown Art District Buyers, Washington Park Beachgoers and Blue Chip Casino Patrons at $2.50 per ride or a $10.00 day pass. City bus riders can also transfer at 6th & Franklin for bus routes 1 through 4.
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Southsider2k12
post Aug 7 2013, 10:33 AM
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Michigan City Police Department

News Release

For Immediate Release

The City of Michigan City and NICTD Reach Consensus on a Preferred Alignment for the South Shore Rail Line

The Management Oversight Group (MOG) comprised of representatives from Michigan City and NICTD (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) has reached a consensus on the 10th/11th St. Central alignment alternative as the preferred alignment for the South Shore Line in Michigan City.

This decision was reached after an extensive, 2 year-long evaluative and progressive screening process the goal of which was to identify a preferred rail alignment that is in the best interests of NICTD and the City of Michigan City. The MOG has directed the engineering consultant Transystems to close out the TIGER II grant process and issue the final report of the project confirming the 10th/11th St. Central alignment as the preferred alignment.

The project, which was funded by a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grant, required the City of Michigan City and NICTD to engage in intensive discussions regarding striking a balance between sometimes conflicting interests in maximizing operational efficiency, passenger usage, and improved operations for NICTD and positive economic development impact for the city of Michigan City.

Seven realignment options were analyzed based on a set of defined evaluation criteria. These criteria included improved mobility, environmental and community impact, operating efficiencies, and positive economic impact on Michigan City.

For over a century, the South Shore has provided valued service to Michigan City along a 2 mile segment of single track that is embedded in the middle of 10th and 11th Streets in Michigan City. From the railroad’s perspective, this “street running” results in adverse impacts on train operations, constrains the ability to enhance capacity, increases railroad and street maintenance costs, and creates unnecessary conflicts with vehicular and pedestrian traffic. From the City’ perspective, the most important criteria in evaluating the alignments was positive economic impact on Michigan City.

To address these concerns Michigan City and NICTD worked together in this selection process to explore feasible realignment options that will improve operating flexibility and capacity, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance vehicular and railroad safety as well as to better leverage the rail line for positive economic impact on Michigan City.

An additional component of this study evaluated the option of developing a new, modern, intermodal station and parking facility. The construction of the new alignment is subject to a NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) environmental review and availability of federal funding and other funding sources.

On the consensus, Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer said, “Michigan City has partnered with NICTD on a vision to build a new, state of the art, ADA accessible train station which will be an economic anchor to our downtown.” Meer continued, “Picture a new rail station and an enhanced 10th/11th St. corridor that all Michigan City residents can be proud of. With these improvements, the South Shore Railroad will be a powerful marketing tool to bring people to and from Chicago and South Bend and experience the tremendous assets of Michigan City’s downtown and lakefront.”

For more information, please visit www.emichigancity.com
Contact:
Craig Phillips
City Planner
Michigan City
cphillips@emichigancity.com
219-873-1419 ext. 324
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taxthedeer
post Sep 18 2013, 03:12 PM
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Sounds like they are planning on having the new station at 11th and Franklin with a multi-level parking garage.
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taxthedeer
post Jul 4 2014, 10:15 PM
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Looks like work is going to begin on doubling the tracks on the west side on Monday.



NICTD will be closing 10th St. from July 7th through August 29th
due to repairs being made to 10th St. and laying down new rails.

Due to the closing of 10th St. from July 7th through August 29th
please observe the following detour for MC Transit Route #4.

Route #4 Changes:

Chicago St. to Cooper St.
Cooper St. to Willard Ave.
Willard Ave. to 8th St.
8th St. to US 12
US 12 to Willard Ave.
Willard Ave. to 8th St.
At this point the route will continue as normal.
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taxthedeer
post Oct 14 2014, 07:24 AM
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Here is a video of the latest model for the Michigan City South Shore reconstruction plan:

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTgxMDcxMDQ0.html
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ChickenCityRoller
post Oct 19 2014, 07:42 AM
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The old Iliana block company just west of mt baldy on hwy 12


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