Special Projects
South Shore Line Airport Realignment
Through its 20-year Strategic Business Plan, the SSL envisions improvements to access South Bend with a more direct route to the rail station. The purpose of this project is to provide a quicker, safer, and more efficient route for commuters to travel. By realigning the current station terminus at the South Bend Airport, distance can be reduced, curves can be eliminated, and grade crossings can be reduced.
The South Shore Line station will be moved from the South Bend International Airport terminal’s east side to its west side. In conjunction with other projects, travel time between South Bend and Chicago is expected to be substantially reduced to just 90 minutes.
Double Track NWI
In May 2014, the South Shore Line (as the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) adopted a 20-year Strategic Business Plan. This Plan details proposed improvements to the South Shore Line traveling approximately 28 miles through Lake, Porter and La Porte Counties, and the communities of Gary, Portage, Ogden Dunes, Dune Acres, Beverly Shores, Pines and Michigan City, Indiana. The project reached completion in May 2024. The project’s main component was to add a second track to the single track route, and move the street-running tracks along 10th and 11th Streets in Michigan City. This has allowed the SSL to add 14 weekday trains for more frequent service, reduce delays and improve travel times beginning in May 2024.
West Lake Corridor
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) is proposing the West Lake Corridor Project as a southern branch extension of the existing South Shore Line (SSL) to reach high-growth areas in Lake County, Indiana. The West Lake Corridor Project is being designed with a focus on sustainability and wetland mitigation, incorporating best practices to protect the environment.
