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http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2016/1...hange/91911592/

The South Shore Line has one track between Gary and Michigan City, which means trains frequently stop for oncoming traffic. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the train line, says adding a second track would dramatically cut travel times to Chicago's Loop and allow for more frequent service. In Michigan City, for instance, a second track could shave as much as 40 minutes off the trip, cutting it to one hour each way.

Now, more frequent train service won't turn Hammond into Naperville, Ill. But it would give Northwest Indiana cities a huge new selling point for Chicago workers who want a lower cost of living.

"It would certainly make housing out there more attractive than it is currently," said Morton Marcus, a former director of the Indiana Business Research Center.

The double-tracking project also would modernize the South Shore Line and its stations, making it pleasant for commuters. In addition, a separate project, called the West Lake Corridor Project, would build a 9-mile extension between Hammond and Dyer.

Better transportation to Chicago is just one part of making Northwest Indiana more competitive with the Illinois suburbs, Marcus said. The state also needs to improve schools in that region. And cities must demolish blighted buildings and clean contaminated industrial sites to spur new development.

"I think the state has generally ignored northwestern Indiana," Marcus said. "This is historically going back for a hundred years. Northwestern Indiana was built on the steel industry and petroleum refining and a great deal of industry. Indiana for a long time has been focused on its agricultural roots."

That focus finally is shifting. The state is preparing to apply for a federal grant that would cover half of the estimated $210 million cost of adding a second track to the South Shore Line. Both candidates for governor, Republican Eric Holcomb and Democrat John Gregg, have said finding money to cover the other half would be a priority if they get elected in November.

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EDITORIAL: Michigan City shows leadership in rail vote

The Times Editorial Board

Michigan City just became an important leader in a sweeping economic development plan that literally could unite and connect all of Northwest Indiana.

The Michigan City Common Council voted 8-1 Tuesday, favoring an agreement with South Shore Line administrators to allow for double tracking through the city.

It’s part of a greater plan to lay an additional set of tracks between Gary and Michigan City to speed the train commute to Chicago and its cache of jobs for Region residents.

Michigan City just punched its ticket in the plan — and in doing so has become an example of regional leadership.

The city has its share of urban struggles, including loss of population and household income since 1970.

A vote to support improvement to the commuter line could help stem those losses — and perhaps reverse the trend — by attracting and retaining young professionals.

Couple an improved commuter rail system with the amenities of a beautiful Michigan City lakeshore, and the City Council just cast a vote for a brighter future.

Council President Tim Biety noted the project will come with some discomfort.

Some homeowners and businesses may experience property loss or relocation to fix an antiquated rail line that runs across major city streets rather than in a traditional railroad bed.

But no great moves with our future in mind come without sacrifice.

Vocal naysayers who oppose all South Shore Line improvement and expansion — while offering no alternatives for Region growth — should learn from Michigan City’s example.

“This is going to advance the city in so many ways,” Mayor Ron Meer told the council Tuesday.

We agree. Michigan City officials also seem to understand that South Shore Line improvements benefit all of Northwest Indiana, not just their municipality.

Congratulations to Michigan City for stepping off the platform and boarding a greater train of regional development.

South Shore Line expansion is proving to be a potential broker of unity in an often divided Region.