The resumption of eastbound train services from Dunes Park Station on the Chicago South Shore Line is a welcome development for both commuters and travelers in the region. After a hiatus, this vital transportation link is back to train service, offering enhanced connectivity and convenience. With eastbound trains once again departing from Dunes Park Station, commuters have regained a reliable means of getting to their jobs in Chicago and beyond. This restoration of service is particularly significant for those who rely on the South Shore Line as their daily mode of transportation. Busing will still be needed for travelers and commuters between Gary Indiana and the Dunes Park station.
The service resumes as the completion of the Michigan City section of the South Shore expansion project has been concluded with full double tracks between the stations and an utterly brand-new station in downtown Michigan City. The project between Michigan City and Gary was a long time in the planning portions with years of plans being drawn before ground broke. The goal was to allow more passenger and freight trains that run on the line in conjunction with passenger trains.
The project as a whole was $649 million. The goal was to add a second mainline from Gary to Michigan City Indiana, much of the remainder of the line into Chicago is already double-tracked. The budget included the all-new track, road crossings, and electrical work as the trains are electricity-powered, and finally station rebuilds and upgrades. All of these upgrades are to connect more people to Chicago as more people are moving out of downtown into northwest Indiana.
Projected investments into the region from this project are expected to be 2.5 billion dollars. Mike Noland said, “They’re gonna build a multi-story parking garage for us, a brand new station that will be centered right here on the property as well, along with a couple hundred luxury apartments, office, [and] retail. It is going to be an economic boon for Michigan City.” The economic growth that is expected is welcomed as Michigan City has been struggling with economic growth in recent years and this project will bring the boost that they so desperately need. The benefits of the project will become more apparent as the project continues.
