INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House overwhelmingly approved Thursday a first-of-its-kind plan for coordinated transit-oriented development near stations along the current and future routes of the South Shore Line.
House Bill 1144, which now goes to the Senate, puts the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority in charge of promoting and managing commercial and residential investment within Transit Development Districts, or TDD for short, centered on at least eight rail stops. State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, the sponsor, said allowing the RDA to use increment financing to develop areas within a mile of the stations will ensure the Region and state get the biggest possible bang for their bucks spent to double-track the South Shore between Gary and Michigan City and extend the commuter rail line from Hammond to Dyer.
INDIANAPOLIS — An innovative plan to finance development near commuter rail stations on the South Shore Line and proposed West Lake extension was approved 19-3 Monday by the House Ways and Means Committee. House Bill 1144, sponsored by state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, would put the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority in charge of promoting and managing commercial and residential investment at Transit Development Districts centered on the rail stops. The legislation authorizes the RDA to borrow funds to speed construction of property improvements that still would be subject to municipal planning and zoning ordinances.
It’s early days, but the effort to make the already-terrific South Shore Railroad even better is on the right track. A double track.
The Region’s official holiday, 219 Day, is back. On 2/18 Hammond, IN is throwing its 2nd annual party at the Hammond Civic Center to celebrate the special day named after Northwest Indiana’s area code. The South Shore Line will be providing a FREE shuttle bus from the Hammond station to the Hammond Civic Center (Compliments of the Hammond Port Authority) and back. The shuttle will run from 5pm-11:30pm.
CHESTERTON — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's Board of Trustees recently approved a five-year capital plan surpassing $1.1 billion in investment in the South Shore Line.
The list includes the West Lake Corridor and Double Track NWI projects, the rerouting of the railroad's approach to the South Bend International Airport, purchase of new rail cars and completion of a federally mandated safety project. "The face of this railroad will look significantly different when this five-year period is done," said South Shore President and General Manager Michael Noland.