Project Profile: Double Track Northwest Indiana (DT-NWI)

The Double Track Northwest Indiana (DT-NWI) project is a transformative infrastructure upgrade to the South Shore Line (SSL) commuter rail corridor. This $650 million initiative involved constructing 42.8 km of new mainline second track, modernizing five stations, and implementing advanced signaling to reduce travel times, increase service frequency, and enhance safety between Northwest Indiana and Chicago, Illinois.

Technical Specifications

The core of the DT-NWI project was the installation of a second mainline track over a 42.8 km segment, which included the strategic repurposing of 12.7 km of existing passing sidings for cost efficiency. The project implemented a modern overhead catenary system (OCS) to support reliable electric train operations. Safety was significantly enhanced through the implementation of a Positive Train Control (PTC) system and upgrades to 13 at-grade crossings with advanced automatic warning systems.

Major civil works included the construction of five improved stations. The Gary/Miller, Portage/Ogden Dunes, and 11th Street (Michigan City) stations were equipped with new high-level platforms to facilitate ADA-compliant boarding. The 11th Street station rebuild was particularly notable, as it eliminated a 3.2 km street-running segment, relocating the tracks into a dedicated right-of-way and constructing a major parking facility. Across the corridor, a total of 1,475 new parking spaces were added to accommodate projected ridership growth.

Key Takeaways

• Enhanced Capacity and Service Reliability: The addition of a second main track has eliminated a critical bottleneck, enabling the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) to add 14 new weekday trains and significantly improve on-time performance.
• Dramatic Travel Time Savings: By improving track infrastructure and eliminating operational conflicts, the project has reduced the journey time between Michigan City and Chicago by over 30 minutes, from 1 hour 40 minutes to just 67 minutes.
• Model for Regional Economic Development: The project’s success, funded through a multi-layered federal, state, and local partnership, serves as a powerful case study for how targeted rail investment can stimulate economic growth, improve regional connectivity, and increase property values along a transit corridor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did the South Shore Double Track project open?

The Double Track Northwest Indiana project became fully operational and launched its new service schedule in May 2024. Construction officially began in March 2022.

Who built the Double Track NWI project?

The project was managed by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). The primary construction was handled by a joint venture, Walsh/Herzog, with specialized work performed by C3M and Clark Construction for the overhead catenary system and HDR providing key engineering services.