West Lake Corridor
{{Short description|Future commuter rail line in Indiana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = West Lake Corridor
| logo = Logo West Lake Corridor.svg
| logo_width = 200px
| image = West Lake Corridor at Hammond Gateway station (June 2024).jpg
| caption = West Lake Corridor, viewed from the parking entrance of Hammond Gateway station (June 2024)
| type = Commuter rail
| system = South Shore Line
| status = Under construction
| locale = Lake County, Indiana, United States
| start = {{stn|Hammond Gateway}}
| end = {{stn|Munster/Dyer Main Street}}
| stations =
| routes =
| daily_ridership =
| close =
| owner =
| operator = NICTD
| character =
| stock = Nippon Sharyo NICTD EMUs
| linelength = {{convert|9|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| tracklength =
| tracks = 1 + passing sidings
| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg}}
| minradius =
| electrification = Overhead catenary, 1500 V DC
| speed =
| elevation =
| map = {{West Lake Corridor|inline=y}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The West Lake Corridor project, to be called the Monon Corridor upon opening,{{cite news |last1=Gallenberger |first1=Michael |title=First section of South Shore Line's Double Track to open in coming weeks |url=https://www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org/local-news/2023-10-02/first-section-of-south-shore-lines-double-track-to-open-in-coming-weeks |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Lakeshore Public Media |date=October 2, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=NICTD: Regular train service set to resume between Dune Park and MC in two weeks, shortening bus rides |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/10/02/nictd-regular-train-service-set-to-resume-between-dune-park-and-mc-in-two-weeks-shortening-bus-rides/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 2, 2023}} is an under-construction commuter rail line in Lake County, Indiana. New South Shore Line services are planned to connect the towns of Munster and Dyer in Indiana with Hammond, Indiana, and Chicago in Illinois. The new branch leaves the South Shore Line's main line at Hammond Gateway station, proceeding as a single-track route to Dyer. Trains will run directly to Chicago during peak hours, and shuttle trains between Hammond and Dyer will run during off-peak hours.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) began planning an extension of the South Shore Line to Valparaiso, Indiana, in 2006 due to population growth in Northwest Indiana. Plans were canceled in 2008 due to lower-than-expected ridership projections. The Indiana General Assembly approved funding for the branch in 2015, and the Federal Transit Administration awarded a grant to the line in 2019. Work started in October 2020, and the branch is expected to open in 2025.
History
=New Start Studies=
In the mid-2000s, the population and commercial growth in Lake and Porter counties in Northwest Indiana was outstripping projections.{{Cite news |url=http://nwitimes.com/articles/2006/06/23/news/top_news/e22ffeaf730c9cdb86257195007bd136.txt |title=Study: South Shore extension would add jobs, income |last=Benman |first=Keith |date=June 23, 2006 |work=nwi.com |access-date=July 16, 2017 |language=en}} The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District determined that if the growth continued, it would be necessary to add another branch to the South Shore Line commuter rail. In 2006, planning proceeded for an extension to Valparaiso, Indiana, but the NICTD was unable to confidently attain trackage rights on the Canadian National Railway line to Valparaiso.{{Cite web |url=http://www.wjobcalpress.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2006-09-10&-token.story=148557.112113&-token.subpub= |website=WJOB (Calumet)/AP |access-date=September 11, 2006 |title=Archived copy |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726161157/http://www.wjobcalpress.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2006-09-10&-token.story=148557.112113&-token.subpub= |url-status=dead}} By 2008 a new study indicated that the Valparaiso to Munster branch would not generate sufficient ridership and was dropped from the plan.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nwi.com/articles/2008/12/17/news/lake_county/doca4777716cabe84e286257522000eabe5.txt |title=Study: Valpo-to-Munster SS line would add few riders |last=Benman |first=Keith |date=December 17, 2008 |work=nwi.com |access-date=July 16, 2017 |language=en}}
The Indiana General Assembly approved funding in 2015 for the construction of a South Shore Line branch to Dyer.{{cite web |date=December 15, 2015 |title=State spurns extra South Shore funding |url=https://www.salina.com/story/news/politics/2015/12/15/state-spurns-extra-south-shore/21157409007/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Salina Journal}}{{cite web |last=Arvia |first=Katie |date=April 11, 2022 |title=West Lake Corridor Project to give Lansing and Munster easier train access to Chicago |url=https://thelansingjournal.com/2022/04/10/west-lake-corridor-project-to-give-lansing-and-munster-easier-train-access-to-chicago/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=The Lansing Journal}} The Lake County government and 15 of the county's towns agreed to provide funding for the branch. In 2017, the NICTD began demolition of houses between Hanover and Brunswick streets to begin building a new station, where trains would interchange with the main line.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Michael |title=Train plans unsettle Hammond neighborhood |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-hammond-west-footprint-st-0103-20161230-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=July 18, 2020}} The same year, the NICTD modified its plans for the West Lake Corridor, adding a maintenance barn to the proposed Hammond Gateway station and relocating the proposed Munster Ridge Road station.{{cite web |date=May 15, 2017 |title=South Shore Line Announces Updated Station Plans for West Lake Corridor Project |url=https://portage.life/article/south-shore-line-announces-updated-station-plans-for-west-lake-corridor-project/?r=gsqb46611vfy |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Portage.Life}}
=Capital Investment Grant Program=
In March 2019, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gave the project a favorable rating meaning the project could qualify for funding from the Capital Investment Grant Program. NICTD anticipated to be awarded funding the following spring with construction beginning later in the year.{{cite news |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/FTA-gives-favorable-rating-to-proposed-NICTD-commuter-rail-extension--57196 |title=FTA gives favorable rating to proposed NICTD commuter-rail extension |publisher=Progressive Railroading |date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 26, 2019}} That October, the FTA approved the project moving it into its engineering phase.{{cite news |url=https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/fta-gives-south-shore-line-expansion-thumbs |title=FTA Gives South Shore Line Expansion A Thumbs Up |last=Keiper |first=Jennifer |publisher=WBBM-AM |date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=October 15, 2019}} The project was to cost $945 million, including $335 million from local sources, $255 million in state funds, and $355 million in federal funds.{{cite web |last=Dmitrovich |first=Nick |date=April 23, 2021 |title=West Lake Corridor Construction is Rolling |url=https://buildingindiana.com/stories/west-lake-corridor-construction-is-rolling,1378 |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Building Indiana Business}}{{cite web |last=Mills |first=Wes |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Decades in the Making, West Lake Rail Project is Underway |url=https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/decades-in-the-making-west-lake-rail-project-is-underway |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Inside INdiana Business}}
=Construction=
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 28, 2020, which included the signing of a full funding grant between the FTA and NICTD.{{cite news |url=https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/42831036/work-to-begin-on-west-lake-corridor-project?fbclid=IwAR1S1pGDEXdt5vKrFhWuCTW9lcplQbZJ7YWoDOJjonRb-QH1eMeMsfhjF-M |title=Work to Begin on West Lake Corridor Project |date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=November 1, 2020 |work=Inside INdiana Business With Gerry Dick |last=Brown |first=Alex}}{{cite web |last1=Steele |first1=Andrew |title=WATCH NOW: 8-mile rail line from Hammond to Dyer is on way |url=https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/watch-now-8-mile-rail-line-from-hammond-to-dyer-is-on-way/article_86a26f2b-e275-50ff-a5f9-4505412a62c0.html |website=nwitimes.com |publisher=The Times of Northwest Indiana |access-date=November 12, 2020 |language=en |date=October 28, 2020}} By November 2024, ninety percent of the work had been finished.{{cite web |last=Ross |first=Doug |date=November 26, 2024 |title=West Lake Corridor work 90% complete; commuter train service to start by fall 2025 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/26/west-lake-corridor-work-90-complete-commuter-train-service-to-start-by-fall-2025/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune}} NICTD's president Mike Noland said the West Lake Corridor could open as early as May 2025, as long as an underpass near the Dyer station was completed on schedule. The underpass's construction had been delayed due to the lack of approval from CSX Transportation, which owned the right-of-way near that station, and the underpass was not planned to be completed until September 2025.{{cite web |date=November 27, 2024 |title=Underpass work will determine opening date for South Shore’s West Lake branch |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/underpass-work-will-determine-opening-date-for-south-shores-west-lake-branch/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Trains}}{{cite web |last=Gallenberger |first=Michael |last2=Media |first2=Lakeshore Public |date=November 26, 2024 |title=South Shore president not ruling out May opening of West Lake Corridor |url=https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/south-shore-president-not-ruling-out-may-opening-of-west-lake-corridor |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Inside INdiana Business}}
Alignment
File:Monon Trail across Little Calumet River.jpg, seen here crossing the Little Calumet River. ]]
Traveling southbound, the new branch leaves the existing main line immediately before Hammond Gateway station.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nictdwestlake.com/faqs/ |title=Frequently Asked Questions |year=2017 |website=West Lake Corridor |access-date=July 16, 2017}} From Hammond south, the line follows the route of Monon Trail until it reaches Maynard Junction. The Monon Trail will be retained, but follow a new alignment. At Maynard Junction, the Corridor will have a flyover over the EJ&E/CSX tracks, and then will follow new tracks built immediately west of the CSX right-of-way.
The line, extending to the town of Dyer, will run about {{Convert|8|mi}}.{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Alex |date=May 14, 2024 |title=What's next for the South Shore Line? |url=https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/whats-next-for-the-south-shore-line |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Inside INdiana Business}} Due to financial constraints, the initial segment will not extend to St. John or Lowell, but provisions will be made for future extension.{{Cite report |url=http://www.nictdwestlake.com/assets/documents/DEIS_Alternatives.pdf |title=West Lake Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Chapter 2: Alternatives Considered) |last1=Simón |first1=Marisol R. |last2=Noland |first2=Michael |date=December 2, 2016 |publisher=NICTD |page=5 |quote=The alignments by alternative were evaluated from cost, feasibility, and freight railroad acceptability perspectives. The analysis concluded that the alignment between Dyer and St. John should be dropped from further consideration primarily because the estimated capital cost would have exceeded the funding that has been identified for the project. It was understood that an extension to St. John or Lowell could be considered in the future. |last3=Federal Transit Administration |last4=USDoT |last5=US Army Corps of Engineers |access-date=July 16, 2017 |author-link3=Federal Transit Administration |author-link4=United States Department of Transportation |author-link5=United States Army Corps of Engineers}} NICTD has also proposed extending the line further south to serve Lowell, St. John, and Cedar Lake, but {{As of|2024|lc=y}} there are no specific plans to carry out this extension.
The line will contain four stations in addition to a maintenance facility in Hammond. NICTD is not constructing a station serving Hammond's downtown area. However, as part of its plans to revitalize its downtown, the city of Hammond plans to construct a downtown station itself at Russell Street, along a section of elevated track. While preparatory work is to be done coinciding with the construction of the West Lake Corridor, full construction on the station is not planned to begin until 2025, making the station an infill station to be built after the initial opening of the West Lake Corridor.{{cite web |last1=Steele |first1=Andrew |title=Decades of hopes and plans culminate with start of South Shore projects |url=https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/decades-of-hopes-and-plans-culminate-with-start-of-south-shore-projects/article_567d6e69-f30e-57f3-a4d5-a4aa4929cded.html |website=nwitimes.com |publisher=The Times (Munster, Indiana) |access-date=May 25, 2022 |language=en |date=March 13, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Zorn |first1=Tom |title=Municipalities get on board plans to grow housing, commercial developments as South Shore projects start |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-south-shore-develop-st-0327-20220325-gkhy5twh45bybacjkqidrgng7y-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=May 25, 2022 |date=March 25, 2022}}
Station listing
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" align=center
|+ |
| scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" | Station ! scope="col" | Connections and notes |
|---|
| rowspan="3" |Hammond
| {{stn|Hammond Gateway}} {{access icon}} {{rint|park}} | {{rint|NICTD|SSL}} South Shore Line (main line) |
| style="background-color: #fda"
| {{stn|Downtown Hammond}} {{access icon}} | Future infill station, planned for after the rest of the stations open |
| {{stn|South Hammond}} {{access icon}} {{rint|park}}
| |
| Munster
| {{stn|Munster Ridge Road}} {{access icon}} {{rint|park}} | |
| Munster–Dyer line
| {{stn|Munster/Dyer Main Street}} {{access icon}} {{rint|park}} | {{rint|US|Amtrak}} Amtrak: Cardinal {{small|(at {{amtk|Dyer}})}} |
Service patterns
The new line will directly serve Millennium Station in Chicago at peak hours, with five trips to or from Millennium Station during these times. A two-car shuttle service will operate between Munster/Dyer Main Street and Hammond Gateway for connections to main line services at other times.{{Cite report |url=http://www.nictdwestlake.com/assets/documents/DEIS_Alternatives.pdf |title=West Lake Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Chapter 2: Alternatives Considered) |last1=Simón |first1=Marisol R. |last2=Noland |first2=Michael |date=December 2, 2016 |publisher=NICTD |last3=Federal Transit Administration |last4=USDoT |last5=US Army Corps of Engineers |access-date=July 16, 2017 |author-link3=Federal Transit Administration |author-link4=United States Department of Transportation |author-link5=United States Army Corps of Engineers}}{{cite web |title=Chapter 2 Alternatives Considered |url=http://www.nictdwestlake.com/assets/documents/FEIS_Chapter2.pdf |publisher=NICTD |access-date=July 18, 2020}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{ccat}}
- [http://www.nictdwestlake.com/ West Lake Corridor]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20141013222856/http://www.nictdwestlake.com/pdf/regional-map.pdf West Lake Corridor Project Map]
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Category:Electric railways in Illinois
Category:Electric railways in Indiana
Category:Proposed railway lines in Illinois
Category:Railway lines under construction