South Shore Line double-track project clears environmental hurdle

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) late last week issued a finding of no significant impact for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's (NICTD) double-track project along the South Shore Line to Chicago.

The FTA based its decision after a environmental assessment of the project. The decision gives NICTD the green light to continue developing the $312 million project, which calls for building a second track along the South Shore Line corridor between Virginia Street in Gary, Indiana, and East Michigan Boulevard in Michigan City, Indiana.

The project includes realigning the South Shore Line in parts of Michigan City, closing 21 grade crossings and upgrading various stations, NICTD officials said in a press release.

"The team at NICTD has worked hard to minimize the project’s impact on the natural and human environment for the past two years," said Michael Noland, South Shore Line's president. "We are thrilled to reach this critically important milestone and advance the project in the Capital Investment Grant process with the FTA."

The FTA grant would cover 50 percent of the double-track project's cost. The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, the state of Indiana and local communities would fund the balance.