Posted by: Southsider2k12 May 5 2021, 03:44 PM
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/digest-south-shore-line-double-track-construction-bids-are-higher-than-expected/
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South Shore faces decision after receiving higher-than-expected bids for Double Track project
Bids for construction of the South Shore Line’s Double Track project came in higher than expected, leaving the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to decide whether to accept the lowest bid or reject both offers in an attempt to achieve a lower price. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports the commuter agency’s president, Michael Noland, had expected four bids, but received two, one for about $400 million and another for about $425 million. The total budget for the project to add a second main line between Gary and Michigan City, Ind., has been estimate at $491 million. Separately, the NICTD agreed to two other contracts: $16.7 million for a new 11th Street Station, and $4.1 million for a new Gary Miller station. The existing 11th Street Station closed Saturday; service at 11th Street will not resume until the conclusion of the project.
Posted by: Southsider2k12 May 10 2021, 05:04 PM
https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/bids-for-south-shore-double-track-project-rejected-as-railroad-attempts-to-bring-price-in/article_d1ec3e06-4ec1-52a2-904d-48df4678ff7b.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_
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Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District on Monday rejected the two bids it received last week for the main construction work on its South Shore Line Double Track project in hopes of bringing the cost closer to engineers' estimates.
After a five-month procurement process, during which 66 informational packets were requested, NICTD received bids from F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates at about $399.7 million, and from a Walsh/Herzog joint venture at about $424.5 million. The bids were substantially higher than anticipated, with the low bid 75% higher than the estimate of approximately $228.6 million.
Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 27 2021, 03:25 PM
https://whatsnewlaporte.com/2021/07/27/south-shore-seeks-new-lower-bids-for-double-tracks/
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The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District is planning to put out a second request for bids for the South Shore Line Double Track project in the next few weeks. The Times of Northwest Indiana report that a revised request will seek to bring the cost of the railroad portion of the project closer to the anticipated $228 million number.
The Double Track project will add a second set of rails on the South Shore Line between Gary and Michigan City, along with upgrades to associated infrastructure. Previous bids for the railroad portion of the project came in around $400 million, according to the publication.
On Monday, the NICTD Board of Trustees approved a series of infrastructure purchases designed to make things easier for the contractor chosen for the project. They include a $6.2 million contract for rail material with A&K Railroad Materials in Valparaiso, as well as the purchase of crossing diamonds from Voestalpine Railway Systems and signaling equipment from Alstom Signaling, totaling nearly $1.5 million.
“I’m feeling confident between the actions we’re taking and the new funding available, we’ll be able to give a notice to proceed,” NICTD President Michael Noland told The Times.
The additional funding, totaling nearly $25 million, comes from the American Rescue Plan. The NICTD hopes to give a winning contractor a notice to proceed by this fall.
The overall cost of the project is an estimated $491 million. In addition to the railroad, the project includes four new bridges, eight new platforms, nearly 1,500 additional parking spaces at four stations, and the closure of 21 at-grade roadway rail crossings in Michigan City.