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[Southsider2k12]

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/new...oject-approved/

CHESTERTON, Ind. — After its first effort to find a contractor was halted because bids far exceeded expectations, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board of directors has approved a contract for construction of the South Shore Double Track project, which will add a second main line between Gary and Michigan City, Ind.

The Times of Northwest Indiana reports that at a Monday meeting, the board approved a $304.8 contract a joint venture of the Walsh and Herzog construction companies. The 26.6-mile project will see the end of street running in Michigan City, and is expected to decrease travel times and increase capacity on the commuter line from Chicago. The project is expected to be completed in 2024.

The initial estimate for the entire double-track project was $491 million, but earlier this year, the initial bids for the construction contract came in at $399.7 million and $425.5 million. That led the district to make moves to lower the cost of the project under bid — through moves including separating out some elements into separate deals, buying some raw materials needed for the construction, and making some aspects optional, depending on the amount of federal funding available [see “Board approves material purchases …,” Trains News Wire, July 28, 2021].

South Shore President Michael Noland said the contracts approved by the board “truly are historic … the Double Track 1 main contract, allowing Walsh to begin construction, is the culmination of many, many, many years of effort.”

Along with the main contract, the board approved one for positive train control upgrades, for bus service when construction requires the tracks to be shut down, and for work at three stations, including $16.7 million for the new Michigan City 11th Street Station.

[Southsider2k12]

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/new...-michigan-city/

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — South Shore Line commuter train No. 106, the 5:45 a.m. departure from Carroll Avenue station in Michigan City, Ind., makes its way down 11th Street at Franklin Street on Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2022, en route to a scheduled 7:13 a.m. arrival at Chicago’s Millennium Station. The train was the last carrying passengers to operate through the streets of Michigan City before trains were replaced by buses between the Carroll Avenue and Dune Park stations to allow construction work to begin [see “Double-track construction set …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 22, 2022].

Preparations for the shutdown were evident prior to the final weekend of street running, as “Road Closed” signs had been distributed at many intersections along 11th Street, and detour signs were posted on alternate routes. Chicago South Shore & South Bend freight trains will continue to operate down the street at night, along with passenger trains being moved in and out of the shops adjacent to the Carroll station overnight for operation from Dune Park to Chicago. The bus substitution is expected to last until this fall.