NICTD Eyeing Late August/Early September Opening Date for West Lake Corridor Project
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of South Shore Line
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District seeks to open its branch to Dyer sometime in later summer to early fall.
According to a report from Lakeshore Public Media, NICTD President Mike Noland reportedly stated the West Lake Corridor is scheduled to be completed around October 31st. However, he told the NICTD Board that they are hoping to work with contractors “to improve that.” Noland said, “It all is going to be depending upon the contractor and their ability to put the right resources to the project to move it closer to summer rather than Halloween.”
Crews are working on extending Main Street west via an underpass that goes underneath the CSX and new West Lake tracks. A temporary span was put in with plans for a permanent structure occurring in late spring or early summer. When it comes to the West Lake Corridor construction, Noland stated the work is around 96% complete. Some of the work still needing to take place includes the signals, grade crossing protection equipment, and positive train control. Additionally, Noland stated crews “have to finish the overhead catenary work, and we have to power up the substations on the line.”
There is also a project to add a fourth track to the north end of the Metra Electric District. As of writing, this project remains on budget and on schedule. There will be an extended tunnel built at Van Buren Street station with an added platform as well as an added platform at Randolph Street.
