[Southsider2k12]

http://emichigancity.com/cityhall/departme...-Open-House.pdf

You are invited to attend the first public open house for the Michigan City/ NICTD Rail Realignment Study

HOLD THE DATE!

September 8, 2011
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011.
Place: Michigan City, City Hall, Lower Level
100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, IN
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Attendees can review alignments, project data and planning/engineering efforts to-date. PowerPoint presentations will be given promptly at 5:00 pm and again at 7:00 pm The consultant team will be on-site to answer questions and receive your comments.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...a1094639727.txt

South Shore track realignment focus of open houses

By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, September 1, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
The first of three public open houses focused on the realignment of Michigan City’s South Shore Line will take place in one week.

As part of the rail realignment study between Michigan City and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, the first public open house is from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at City Hall.

Michigan City and NICTD are working to realign the South Shore commuter train tracks, which run through the center of 11th Street, and are conducting an alternative analysis realignment study to find a fitting new route.

The city provided many reasons why the realignment will benefit residents and commuters, including reduced air pollution, increased economic potential for the city and improved mobility for La Porte County visitors and residents.

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The benefits of the project, based on the principles of transit-oriented developments such as Portland, Ore., and Boulder, Colo., could reduce traffic congestion, improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, conserve energy and improve property values and household wealth, according to a press release by the city.

The study also comes at a price, but one that did not affect citizens’ pocketbooks.

With $800,000 in a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery II Planning Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation in October 2010, the study was funded along with $200,000 in city and NICTD matching dollars. The total cost of the study amounted to $1 million at no cost to city taxpayers.

Some residents, however, may be upset by the realignment options set forth in the study. Option 1 would follow close to the current 10th and 11th streets corridor, but be relocated off-street, onto and through existing residential property.

John Pugh, Michigan City Planning Department director, said Option 1 could potentially result in the acquisition and relocation of homes along 11th Street.

However, there are more options for realignment planners to investigate – seven others to be exact. One of those plans, Option 5, would include the construction of a bridge structure stretched over Franklin Street, Amtrak, Trail Creek and U.S. 12, down to Dickson Street to join the existing South Shore Line at Carroll Avenue.

Public input is heavily being sought by NICTD and Michigan City study developers to find the best realignment option for residents and commuters of the city. A final decision on the new route will not made until after the third public open house meeting, to be determined at a later date.

“I can only say that there will be public meetings and public input,” Pugh said. “That’s a critical part of this whole thing.”

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/So..._129235523.html

South Shore realignment options
A realignment of the South Shore in Michigan City has been in the works for months. This week, the community will get a chance to hear the different routes it might take.
Email Address: newscenter16@wnud.com


A realignment of the South Shore in Michigan City has been in the works for months. This week, the community will get a chance to hear the different routes it might take.

Our partners at the News Dispatch report that on Thursday officials will present the results of a study that would move the tracks away from 11th Street.

Some of the options include putting the tracks through existing residential property or putting in a bridge over Franklin Street, the Amtrak line, Trail Creek, and US 12.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...68709075926.txt

Speak up about railroad relocation

Published: Sunday, September 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
I saw articles in the Anvil Chorus on May 27 and June 12. I was glad to see them, even though I disagree totally as to where a South Shore station should be placed.

Their ideas show that they have come to the conclusion that our town should be split in half and 19 streets barricaded, 100 or more homes and structures torn down and about four square blocks leveled in the middle of our city for a station and parking lots.

As I understand, a few years back, some engineer in California was on his cell phone or something, and didn’t see a red signal, hit a train ahead of him and caused a wreck. The federal government has mandated that all trains have some sort of signal device that works by satellite. This system, as I understand, cannot be maintained if it is in pavement, as the South Shore is on 11th and 10th streets. The South Shore is mandated to be out of pavement by 2015.

There are three feasible routes: North End, CSX and tear up our town. The North End route is too expensive because it will take a new bridge over Trail Creek. The CSX route would put the tracks on the CSX right of way east of the shops (an inconvenience for the South Shore). Putting the tracks a block south of 11th Street and 10th Street from Michigan Boulevard to the west side of town would be convenient for the South Shore, but would be a terrible inconvenience for the city.

Click here to find out more!
There will be a public meeting about the relocation from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8 at City Hall. I hope if you go, you will be better prepared than the last time.

Mr. Stu Sirota, from New Jersey, was on hand to conduct the meeting. It was the perfect example of divide and conquer. It seemed that most of the people were opposed to tearing up the city. Sirota then divided the room up into several groups and gave them some inconsequential subjects to discuss and report on. They did do a good job at what there were asked and were very proud of their work.

At the end of the meeting, it seemed that they were in favor of what they started out to disagree with.

What is going to happen is the railroad will start working on tearing up our city and the townspeople will say, “This is not what we wanted.” The response will be, “We gave you an opportunity to express your opinions.”

They will be right if more people don’t learn what might happen and express our opinions. I’ve heard more people talk out against a truck stop than the railroad relocation. Where are those people now?

Sept. 8. Will you be there or will you let the railroad decide for you?

Bill Franks

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...22130442949.txt

Thursday meeting on South Shore rail realignment crucial

Published: Saturday, September 3, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
An important meeting to receive public comment about a rail realignment of Michigan City’s South Shore Line will be 5 to9 p.m. Thursday at Michigan City’s city hall.

This meeting is the first of three hearings seeking public input into a decision about where to place the South Shore commuter train tracks, which run through the center of 11th Street. Seven different realignment options have been proposed and the public is being offered these opportunities to give their opinion about how the realignment should proceed.

Some of the options carry more of a change to the downtown area than others, including one option that would follow closely to the current corridor but be located off-street, and on to and through existing residential property. Another option would include constructing a bridge over Franklin Street, the Amtrak, Trail Creek and U.S. 12, down to Dickson Street to join the existing South Shore Line at Carroll Avenue.

We have included the options at the end of this editorial, which were printed in the News Dispatch on Thursday, to allow readers to become more informed before the meeting.

Click here to find out more!
The South Shore commuter line is a vital travel link for Michigan City, giving residents easy access to Chicago and to South Bend and points in between.

Please plan on attending the meeting to give your input about this important decision. The landscape of Michigan City will be affected by this decision and the time to speak is during the time of public comment.

Here are the options:

The study examines seven re-alignment options in the North, Central and South corridors. The basic description of these alignments is as follows.

Option 1

10th/11th Street (Central) Corridor: This alignment would follow close to the current 10th/11th Street corridor for the South Shore Line but would be located off-street onto existing residential property. On the west side of the City at Sheridan Street, the tracks would be relocated along a new right-of-way south of 10th Street until approximately Kentucky Street and 11th Street. At that point the existing embedded tracks would be relocated to the south side of 11th Street on new right-of-way, paralleling 11th Street until it meets up with the existing NICTD right-of-way east of Michigan Boulevard.

Option 2

CSX (South) Corridor: Main operation would be on the CSX Railroad right-of-way that currently exists in the southern part of Michigan City. On the west end of the City, the South Shore Line would transition to the CSX via new right-of-way until it reaches the CSX Railroad west of Ohio Street. Transition back to NICTD right-of-way would occur at Karwick Park on the east end.

Option 3

North Corridor: From the west, the South Shore Line would leave the existing NICTD right-of-way at U.S. 12 and operate adjacent to the NIPSCO tracks and yard until the point it reaches the Amtrak tracks near Wabash Street. At this point, there would then be a crossover to the south side of Amtrak, east of Franklin Street and then pass through the former Pioneer lumber yard, curve under US 12, follow Michigan Boulevard down to the Marina, curve east and follow Trail Creek by the Michigan City Sanitary District property to Dickson Street where it would join the existing South Shore Line tracks to Carroll Avenue yard and to the east.

Option 3A

North Corridor: From the west, the South Shore Line would leave the existing NICTD right-of-way at U.S. 12 and operate adjacent to the NIPSCO tracks and yard until the point it reaches the Amtrak tracks near Wabash Street. At this point there would then be a crossover to the south side of Amtrak, east of Franklin Street and then pass through the former Pioneer lumber yard, curve under US 12, follow Michigan Boulevard down to the Marina, and continue south paralleling Michigan Boulevard where it would join the existing South Shore Line tracks just east of Michigan Boulevard to Carroll Avenue yard and to the east.

Option 4

North Corridor: From the west, the South Shore Line would leave the existing NICTD right-of-way at U.S. 12 and operate adjacent to the NIPSCO tracks and yard until the point it reaches the Amtrak tracks near Wabash Street. At this point, there would then be a crossover to the south side of Amtrak, east of Franklin Street and then parallel Amtrak alignment (same grade) over Trail Creek to the old Nickel Plate right-of-way south of US 12 (at grade) down to Dickson Street where it would join the existing South Shore Line tracks to Carroll Avenue yard and to the east.

Option 5

North Corridor: From the west, the South Shore Line would leave the existing NICTD right-of-way at U.S. 12 and operate adjacent to the NIPSCO tracks and yard until the point it reaches the Amtrak tracks near Wabash Street. At this point, it would then follow an elevated alignment (i.e. a bridge structure) over Franklin Street, Amtrak, Trail Creek and US 12 to the old Nickel Plate right-of-way down to Dickson Street where it would join the existing South Shore Line to Carroll Avenue yard and to the east.

Option 6

North Corridor: From the west, the South Shore Line would leave the existing NICTD right-of-way at U.S. 12 and operate adjacent to the NIPSCO tracks and yard until the point it reaches the Amtrak tracks near Wabash Street. At this point, new tracks would pass over Amtrak and operate along the U.S. 12 right-of-way. U. S. 12 would be relocated north of its current right-of-way between the new South Shore tracks and the existing Amtrak tracks. The tracks would continue over Trail Creek (at-grade bridge) to the old Nickel Plate right-of-way south of the relocated US 12 down to Dickson Street where they would join the existing South Shore Line tracks to Carroll Avenue yard and to the east.

Option 7

North Corridor: From the west, the South Shore Line would leave the existing NICTD right-of-way at U.S. 12 and operate adjacent to the NIPSCO tracks and yard until the point it reaches the Amtrak tracks near Wabash Street. At this point, new tracks would pass over Amtrak and operate along the U.S. 12 right-of-way. Amtrak tracks would also be relocated farther south to align closer to the new South Shore Line tracks. U. S. 12 would be relocated north of its current right-of-way to provide direct access to the Washington Park. The new South Shore Line tracks would continue over Trail Creek (at-grade bridge) to the old Nickel Plate right-of-way south of the relocated U.S. 12 down to Dickson Street where they would join the existing South Shore Line tracks to Carroll Avenue yard and to the east. The Amtrak tracks would continue on new right-of-way across Trail Creek over an at-grade bridge, and continue on the existing alignment east of Trail Creek.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...85241025832.txt

We need a ‘shovel ready’ plan

Published: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
Instead of narrowing the focus on the NICTD realignment, TranSystems is now giving us seven options to consider. The proposal that: “U.S.12 would be relocated north of its present route,” (Option 6) points up just how far afield this latest (1.2 million, federally-funded TIGER) study has gone.

The 11th Street plan, (Option 1,) proposed by NICTD management and approved by its board in May of 2008, has met with overwhelming opposition by our citizenry.

Option 2, the CSX south route, was studied separately several years ago, also by TranSystems. Closing any of its 11 grade crossings, with the exception of Buffalo and Jackson Streets, would be unacceptable. Getting NICTD train sets and South Shore freight trains on to this right-of-way over the new Karwick Park is more than problematical.

Option 5 fails to describe the Elevated Option as proposed. It will be spelled out at the hearing.

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It is ironic that while the hearing is being conducted this Thursday, that President Obama will be giving his “Jobs” speech, and again urging Congress to fund the infrastructure improvements (like ours) that are so desperately needed.

Let us hope that we do not have to wait for new leadership in 2012 to bring this problem to a head and that we will have a “shovel ready” plan to lay before local, state, and federal government even this year.

John Vail

Michigan City, IN

[mcstumper]

I don't get some of these arguments. The north end proposal all hinges around the construction of an elevated railway and a bridge across trail creek that sailboats can fit under. The 11th St. proposal requires the demolition of swath of houses and the closing of a number of crossings. The main concern with the CSX plan? You would have to build a railroad through a woods and over a creek (sans sailboats, mind you). And yet the CSX plan is the one that everyone immediately dismisses out of hand as being unworkable. What is going on here?

[Southsider2k12]

http://heraldargus.com/articles/2011/09/09...ef697524158.txt

Large crowd turns out for South Shore open house

Officials outline options for relocating tracks
By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, September 9, 2011 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — A full City Hall council chambers Thursday night revealed just how involved citizens want to be in the realignment of Michigan City's South Shore Line tracks.

A small group of representatives organizing the railroad realignment study presented information to a large crowd of residents, business owners and city officials regarding the study's process and goals.

The Michigan City/NICTD Rail Realignment Study will be unveiled over a series of three public open houses, data analysis sessions and business meetings, with Thursday night marking the first public open house.

City Planning Director John Pugh stressed the importance of public input. Comment cards, information sheets and sign-in sheets were provided to guests for any concerns or questions.

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John Parsons, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District director of marketing and planning, said the main obstacle to reducing the commuter line's maintenance costs and pedestrian dangers is the embedded rail system now running through Michigan City.

"We want to reduce travel times from Michigan City and South Bend to Chicago, and eliminate the embedded tracks in the streets of Michigan City," he said, adding that 96 percent of South Shore passengers go to and from Chicago per day.

Guest speaker Bill Shafer, the realignment project's manager and a member of TranSystems, a transportation consulting firm, then addressed the key components of the study for the audience.

Citing its main goals, Schafer said an increase in safety for pedestrians and drivers, the creation of an aesthetically pleasing multimodal train station and a decrease in the impact of the realignment on the environment and nearby buildings are some of the main goals of the realignment.

Schafer said local railroad companies such as CSX, Amtrak and NIPSCO are "pretty receptive" to either sharing joint railroad routes or connecting to existing railroad routes if a certain realignment option called for it.

However, realignment Options Six and Seven would require the reconstruction and relocation of U.S. 12 just north of its current route to accommodate a new train corridor station and rail alignment along U.S. 12's existing roadway.

Schafer said the Indiana Department of Transportation was contacted about those two options, which were created by the study administrators as possible alternatives to Options One through Five.

During Schafer's presentation, the audience let out a collective murmur of unrest while he discussed Option One, which would effectively relocate the homes of residents living along 11th Street after the South Shore track's relocation onto residential property.

Schafer reiterated the goals of the project and of the three public open houses before directing the audience to a nearby room filled with close-up maps and charts from the study's realignment options.

The next room stirred as community members analyzed, traced, photographed and read aloud the information on each poster.

A handful of representatives from NICTD, Michigan City Planning Department and the study administration were present, explaining terms and clarifying any questions from the group.

A second presentation was given at 7 p.m., after which another public group could view the same room full of posterboards and maps.

The second and third open houses are to be announced as soon as the study committee determines the results of Thursday night's open house.

The study is set to last until April 2012, at which time an alignment option will be chosen and put into its development stages.

"Each alignment has potential areas for economic growth and development around parks, Blue Chip Casino and the historic districts of Michigan City," Schafer said. "We want to provide the city with a realistic, cost-effective solution."

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...f0672120465.txt

Train station shouldn’t displace homes

Published: Saturday, September 10, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
This big fancy South Shore station, the laying of tracks and the removal of houses along 10th and 11th streets might be good if there was a big population explosion taking place. But it is just the opposite.

Michigan City has not fared well in getting people to move here since Pullman Standard left La Porte and the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant left La Porte County. And you might as well say South Bend since Studebaker left South Bend.

But still they want to build a real fancy train station in the middle of Michigan City and uproot hundreds of homes and close a lot of streets to make the people mad enough that they will go somewhere else and make the population drop that much more.

The people who have their homes taken away from them are going to move elsewhere.

So for the $65 million that they want to spend and disrupt people’s lives, will the people support it, especially if they raise the price to ride the South Shore?

I still say the best place for it is on Carroll Avenue on the west side of the street.

All they would have to do is tear down three old factory buildings and nobody would lose their homes. A station built like the one on U.S. 12 would be more beneficial than a station built for a lot bigger city. That would be like building another Midway Airport over on U.S. 212.

Clyde Bradley

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...69591261894.txt

Understand the South Shore options

Published: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
After reading the article in Saturday’s Anvil Chorus, I believe Mr. Bradley and many others do not fully understand what is going on. If the station is west of Carroll Avenue, the tracks “will” be realigned from Michigan Boulevard to Sheridan Avenue, on the west end of town.

According to the map by, “NICTD-South Shore Preliminary Downtown reroute concept,” as found on the computer, all the houses from Michigan Boulevard to Sherdian Street on the south side of 11th Street to the alley, from Michigan Boulevard to Chicago Street, and from Chicago Street to Sheridan Avenue on 10th Street, will be torn down for a new right of way for the South Shore.

Michigan Boulevard will be open. From Michigan Boulevard, Phillips Ave., Maple Street, Oak Street, York Street, Lafayette Street, Cedar Street and Spring Street will be barricaded and a fence put up on each side of the railroad for that distance.

Pine Street and Franklin Street will be open, but the homes and structures will be torn down. The projected station will straddle Washington Street and hence block it. There will be parking between Franklin Street and Wabash Street, 11th Street and Warren Street, for three and a half square blocks, Wabash Street will be open. Then, Buffalo Street, Manhattan Street and Elston Street will be barricaded and fenced on both sides. Ohio Street will be open. Kentucky Street and Tennessee Street will be closed and fenced from Ohio Street to Chicago Street. Chicago Street South, will end at 10th Street and traffic will go West on 10th St. to Huron Street just West of the Amtrak crossing and go on Huron South to Chicago Street. Clare Street will be closed and fenced from Chicago Street to Willard Ave. Willard Ave will be open. Donnelly Street and Carlon Street will be closed and area fenced from Willard Ave to Sheridan Ave. Sheridan Ave will be open.

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So you can see putting the Station West of Carroll Ave will not save many homes. Another route would be for the South Shore to go on its present route to Michigan Boulevard, then turn north and go along Michigan Boulevard, on the east side of the Boulevard to 8th Street and hence right along by the old Ice House and Blocksom’s past the” million dollar park,” under the U.S. 12 bridge through the old Pioneer Lumber Yard land and then cross Amtrak at Wabash Street, go along NIPSCO fence and out to U.S. 12.

This would also uproot all the homes from Vail Street to Eighth Street on the east side of the Boulevard to the alley.

It would be a shame to have spent all that money on the lawyer to get that property from Eighth Street to Fourth Street and give the land away. It would also be hard for the South Shore Freight to go this route, in my opinion.

The opinions are my own. The facts are from the computer. Check it out for yourself. Click on to: e-michigancity.com-michcitygov.

If you haven’t got a computer, ask your grand kids to bring their lap top over and pull it up for you. Click on “South Shore Public Forum” and go into the various sections. Bring up maps and anything you might think you might like to know about. Ask your grandkids what they think about this. Just learn what’s going on.

Bill Franks

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...56204257796.txt

Will new route bring new taxes?

Published: Saturday, September 17, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
When I said that the South Shore station should be built west of Carroll, I mean that the boundary line would include Carroll on the east, Holliday on the south, Ridgeland on the east and that new thing they built on the north.

If you look real close, you will see the South Shore follows along to the north of Holliday Steet to the north side. I don’t see where they need to realign anything.

If they go ahead with the $65 million, they might even do like they did in Indianapolis and Marion County and all the counties bordering Marion County. Those counties pay a 9 percent sales tax and the rest 7 percent. Would you like to pay more taxes like they are?

They are paying more taxes to help pay for the new stadium that the Colts play in whether you like sports or not. But that is only $700,000. So how much more would we be paying on $65 million?

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Take the population of Michigan City and the surrounding towns like Trail Creek, Pine, Long Beach, Michiana Shores and you probably get about 65,000 people, more or less.

So you take that $65 million and divide it into 65,000 and what do you get? About $1,000 a person.

So if you want to pay Chicago’s taxes then go for it. But if you don’t, you would have to use what you already have.

One of the new prayers that they have in Chicago or the rest of Illinois is “Please God, no new taxes.”

Clyde Bradley

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...2d141902638.txt

South Shore plan needs input

Published: Monday, October 17, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
I would like to voice an option on the South Shore relocation. First, does anyone really believe that a handful of people from a city of 31,000 is going to sway our Uncle Sam into spending between 200 and 300 million to relocate the South Shore tracks to the north end when they can go down 11th Street for under 100 million? Do we really want it in the north end? Be careful what you wish for as it might come true and become your worst nightmare.

If you look at the plans, I ask, do we really want to drive towards the lakefront and see an elevated railroad trestle, and have 50 or so coal cars loaded with coal on a nice windy day? Do we really need the added congestion that a train stopped at a station in the middle of Franklin will bring? Amtrak does a fine job of that now.

This congestion factor holds true for option 2 near Ames Field. They feel the city would be better served by accepting the reality that railroads have placed tracks when and where they want since the beginning of time in this country. Efforts would be better spent trying to tweak option 1 (remember the clues here are option 1 and least expensive). One thing would be to try and get the new train station to be built on the west side where the South Shore and Amtrak intersect at Chicago Street. We could get a station that could serve the South Shore and Amtrak (Amtrak would no longer block Franklin Street at the bridge).

A bus station would only be a couple blocks from U.S. 12 and four to five blocks from the center of town and lakefront. It is so close to Lighthouse Mall we could build a pedestrian bridge to it or it would probably be a $5 cab ride.

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It would also avoid increased congestion in the north end and center of town, but still be close enough to serve these locations quite well.

Another area that could use tweaking is the number of crossings and which ones remain open. It seems now the only one between the Boulevard and Pine would be Maple. If we get involved in what seems somewhat inevitable, maybe we can get one or two more street crossings. Lafayette would be great as it runs from Greenwood to Eighth Street past the school. The city could enhance it and make it more of a main artery.

I firmly believe if we don’t get our heads out of the sand and try to look at the facts (money), we will be saddled with a plan with no input because we didn’t like the idea and therefore refused to even look at it from the viewpoint that it just may be what we get. Uncle Sam will say you had your chance for input and you ignored it. Wake up and hear the whistle.

James Lechtanski

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...51295919806.txt

MICHIGAN CITY — The Michigan City/NICTD Rail Realignment Study Briefing Workshop is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in City Hall’s lower level, 100 E. Michigan Blvd. The briefing is open to the public.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...71943504191.txt

Officials: South Shore plan’s hefty costs won’t burden city

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, February 2, 2012 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — The cost of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s South Shore realignment plan could be anywhere from $82 million to $268 million.

That’s according to Wednesday’s presentation at City Hall by members of TranSystems, the Chicago-based design company acting as the project’s transportation consultants.

But the current plan is for the city to only be on the hook for a small portion, if any, of the funding.

TransSystems project manager Bill Schafer outlined seven possible routes the South Shore could take through Michigan City when the realignment is completed. The least expensive option is one that would go through the city’s North End, crossing a sharp curve that would require the speed to be limited to 30 miles per hour.

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The station, if that plan is adopted, would be located by the current Blocksom property, which Schaefer said “contradicts the city’s redevelopment plan” for the Trail Creek Open Space Corridor.

NICTD Marketing Director John Parsons said the quickest option through the city would be one where the new rail eventually merges with the current CSX railroad, an idea centered on the city’s South End.

“Our objective is to increase ridership,” Parsons said. “That happens when stops and travel time are reduced.”

Nearly every option presented cut the number of Michigan City stops to one. Currently, the South Shore has two stops in Michigan City: one on 11th Street and the other on Carroll Avenue.

La Porte County Councilman Mark Yagelski said the “goal” is for the project to be funded solely by federal and state money.

Parsons said the city could be asked to fund portions of the project that deal with station issues.

City Council President Marc Espar said another workshop will be held in two weeks. Public comment will be allowed then.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...08842585194.txt

Public input sought at South Shore workshop on Thursday

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012 5:06 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — The public can make comments regarding various options in the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s South Shore realignment plan at a follow-up workshop at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.

The workshop will begin as a continuation of a recent council workshop where a plan for seven different realignment options was presented to Common Council members.

“The committee members are open-minded about these decisions,” La Porte County Councilman Mark Yagelsk said. “We are looking for more input from engineers and the public, too.”

Citing a plan to update the railroad for the next 100 years, Yagelski said he and three other NICTD representatives, along with Mayor Ron Meer, First Ward Councilman Richard Murphy, the city engineer and City Planner John Pugh, have been in discussions for “several months” on the different possibilities.

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“We are about midway through that process,” Yagelski said, adding he expects a final decision on the Michigan City realignment to take place in about six months.

TranSystems, a Chicago-based design group, will lead the presentation.

Following the update and question-and-answer session, Yagelski said an open house in the adjoining EOC room will serve as another opportunity for residents to offer suggestions to committee members.

Before the final decision is made, the councilman said there will be another workshop sometime in June.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...63202631783.txt

Residents give input on rail realignment

La Porte resident Dennis Burke makes a point while other workshop attendees listen at a railroad realignment work session Thursday night at Michigan City's City Hall. Photo by Tim Moran
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, February 24, 2012 5:08 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — A variety of concerns regarding the possible realignment of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s South Shore tracks were tossed around by members of the public during a council workshop on the matter Thursday evening.

Krueger Neighborhood Association President Greg Tuel said his concern is about all of the northern routes – adding that he is not in favor of anything that will affect the Krueger neighborhood after “we worked so hard to establish ourselves.”

Tuel presented a petition of 120 signatures saying there is “a segment of society (that) feels very strongly about this.”

Michigan City resident Bill Franks said his concern is regarding the CSX option and that three bridges would have to be built including one “over swampland.”

Click here to find out more!
“That sounds very expensive and the land there is terrible,” he said.

Others said not doing anything at all would be the greatest disservice.

“This has too much potential,” said longtime city resident Leigh Coburn.

Other ideas suggested by members of the public included removing the current tracks and station at 11th Street, a reminder that anything that goes forward must be coordinated with the city’s Trail Creek Corridor plan and creating a “high-tech” office near the new station to attract high tech workers from around the area.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...5d920462103.txt

11th Street option not favored for realignment

Published: Sunday, February 26, 2012 5:07 PM CST
The workshop held on Feb. 23rd reviewing the choices for the South Shore Commuter service was very encouraging. It looks as if the final decision will be made within the next two months. The public was allowed ample time to make their views known. Bill Green (a member of our school board) stated that he hopes the decision makers take into account the problems that will be created if the 11th street route is chosen. This route would close 17 streets that presently cross 11th which in turn creates 34 dead end streets. This will inhibit service from school buses, law enforcement, medical, and fire protection. I certainly agree with this statement and in my opinion any route except 11th street will be a wonderful improvement and a real stimulus to our community.

Leigh Coburn

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...46640929613.txt

NICTD workshop shows flaws

Published: Monday, February 27, 2012 5:08 PM CST
I attended the NICTD workshop on Feb. 23 and most of the meetings prior to that one. An ugly fog of dillusion, misinformation and lack of information filled the council chambers – a fog created by NICTD management, perhaps to conceal a fundamental flaw in their people-moving philosophy. It is a philosophy that discriminates against the less fortunate people of northwest Indiana.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District wasn’t established to benefit just people in cars and the communities in which their stations are located. For if it was, their name would be the Northern Indiana Commuter Railroad.

The failure of NICTD management to be open-minded to other modes of transportation as a means to connect communities to their rail line, has hurt the less fortunate people of northwest Indiana unfairly, for example, students, who have to buy a car before they can attend more affordable community colleges and university extensions in the region.

Elderly people in communities like Valparaiso and Merriville, who can’t get medical treament in Chicago because they are unable to drive, are just some of the people affected by NICTD’s failure. Defensive and self-preserving behavior was not limited to NICTD management at this meeting. The commuters who have taken ownership of this public entity are defending this type of discriminating public transit. “Yes, provide a good place for my car and don’t let the short-bus people aboard,” is the type of behavior I saw. If NICTD doesn’t change their people-moving philosophy, poverty will continue to be attracted to their rails. I don’t believe these workshops will influence any alignment decision because the choice has been made. But I’m happy with the dialogue I observed, for it cast a light on a far bigger problem at NICTD than the Michigan City project.

Philip Grams

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...88074943667.txt

Recent column didn’t advance discussion

Published: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 5:08 PM CST
Krueger Neighborhood Association’s president Greg Tuel’s guest column and NIMBY speech at last Thursday’s South Shore track realignment hearing did little to advance the selection of a new route for the railroad. Local citizens have rejected the 11th Street option from the get- go. Another speaker put the last nail in the coffin of the CXS route, most expensive, and calling for miles of solid fill to bring the new roadbed up to the level of the existing CSX tracks. Moving the Carroll Avenue shops east of Karwick Road only adds to the madness of the south route.

Focus on the north end has been painfully slow, with the last “hearing” being little more that a carbon copy of the previous two – much palaver about moving Al’s, “possible housing” and dredging Trail Creek.

The challenge is safety, speed, convenience and cost. Option 5, the elevated route wins all of these hands down. Here’s why:

The elevated route has a fixed (3 tracks?) bridge, 30 feet above the water, serving NICTD, Amtrak and South Shore Freight. By using the ready-made Nickel Plate/South Shore freight yards right-of-way, closing the Eighth Street, Pleasant Avenue and Carroll Avenue crossings, this leaves us with one grade crossing between Karwick Road and Mt. Baldy and Springland Avenue, no demolitions, and plenty of free parking under the tracks on the present Amtrak right-of-way and adjoining vacant property. No expensive “parking structures” would be required. The critical north-south artery, Woodland Avenue, would tunnel beneath the (now greatly enhanced) South Shore freight yards, finally, after waiting 40 years, getting the central city onto U.S. 12 expeditiously.

Click here to find out more!
With $6.5 million in the county Major Bridge Fund, who knows?

John Vail

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...77895239675.txt

South Shore North Route doesn’t make sense

Published: Thursday, March 22, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
Local representatives, you need to make a change today for the future families of Michigan City.

Does spending up to $200 million to move the South Shore train eight blocks further north to our lakefront make the most sense? Our north end already supports a state prison, a commuter train, a casino and a power plant – most people think it’s nuclear. Add this idea to what we have already done to Franklin Street, which has been closed then reopened and blocked, with our library.

Our local representatives should be working to create jobs, improve our school system, and strengthen our city’s infrastructure. One hundred million dollars could provide jobs and the salary for 200 new teachers for 10 years. Instead, they are wasting a lot of time, effort, and taxpayer money on a commuter train system most residents rarely, if ever, use. Let’s be honest, do we really have a way of determining if this expenditure in any way will help the people of Michigan City? Will the cost to the taxpayers end up improving our graduation rate or provide employment for the majority of our population that is out of work today? We are losing our young people and our jobs – the foundation of our society.

Big projects like these end up wasting millions and too much of it goes into lining the pockets of a few individuals.

Christian and Marlene Wehbey

Michigan City, IN