The historic South Bend Union Station downtown is one step closer to the return of passenger rail service on Amtrak.
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded the city a $3.8 million grant for the Activating Passenger Rail at South Bend Union Station project's development. The grant is 80% of the $4.8 million needed to plan the project.
“This competitive federal grant is another strong signal of the momentum we’re building across South Bend and the new possibilities that emerge from years of investment and strong partnerships,” said Mayor James Mueller in a press release. “Bringing passenger rail service back to Union Station will reconnect South Bend to many economic and recreational opportunities of the national rail network.”
The project will identify improvements that would need to be made to move Amtrak service from a station west of the city's downtown to Union Station, which the city purchased in 2024 for $2.4 million. The current Amtrack station is on West Washington Street.
Planning would include the location of platforms and accessibility, among other infrastructure improvements. It does not include construction.
Union Station was built in 1929 in an art deco style. It served passengers until 1971.
