The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District announced that the Double Track Northwest Indiana project is 98% complete.
“We will announce the date for resumption of train service between Dune Park and Gary in coming weeks,” according to a statement.
The South Shore Line also will test trains in the next few weeks on any track and at any time, so grade crossings might be busier than usual.
The project is slated to finish on time and under budget, according to the project's monthly update. Walsh/Herzog Joint Venture, the primary contractor, planned to have a substantial portion of the work completed by the end of February.
The $649 million double-track project includes 26.6 miles of a new second track between Gary and Michigan City. It also includes platform changes at five stations, 1,475 new parking spaces, and the reconstruction of 22 at-grade crossings and 20 culverts.
The current train schedule is expected to resume in early April, eliminating the need for busing. However, buses between Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations are expected to continue through the project's completion. Staff training will be complete in March, with required simulations occurring in early April.
The new schedule that will include 14 new trains each weekday will begin in May as originally planned. A ribbon cutting will take place in May. Gov. Eric Holcomb plans to be on hand for the event.
Caption: The double-track project included work on the Beverly Shores low-level platform. (Provided by South Shore Line)
