U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) applauded a $173 million grant agreement between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) for the Double Track Northwest Indiana Project.
The project is set to improve transportation options in northwest Indiana, including for residents traveling to downtown Chicago and the South Bend International Airport, according to the FTA.
“This has been a game-changing infrastructure priority for Indiana for many years, so naturally I am thrilled that our efforts have helped secure the full amount of federal funding required to complete the South Shore Line Double Track Project,” Sen. Young said on Jan. 7.
The Double Track Northwest Indiana Project is a 26.6-mile second track on NICTD’s South Shore commuter rail line between Gary, Ind., and Michigan City, Ind. The total project cost is $491 million with $173 million in funding provided through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants Program.
In August 2020, the FTA announced it would allocate $50.6 million to the project, but on Jan. 7 announced the additional funding award requested by the NICTD to complete the project, which includes platform upgrades at five stops along the line, according to the FTA.
“With its expected economic impact of $3 billion by 2048 and the creation of more than 6,000 new jobs, the completion of this and other northwest Indiana infrastructure projects will benefit Hoosiers for years to come,” said Sen. Young. “I applaud everyone at the state and federal level who played a role in helping us reach this pivotal moment.”
Rep. Walorski also commended the federal grant agreement, saying that completion of the South Shore Double Track project will make transportation across northern Indiana more efficient and bolster economic development in the South Bend region.
“The full-funding grant agreement brings this vital project another step closer to reality,” she said. “Our region’s economic future depends on innovative solutions like this, and I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen northern Indiana.”