Shore Shore Line Double Track NWI construction updates

The following is an update on the Shore Shore Line’s Double Track NWI construction:

GARY- MILLER STATION AREA
All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. Work is underway at the new east lot. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) is closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open with some lane restrictions. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old US 12/Dunes Hwy.

Construction of the new Miller Station is expected to begin in July at the southwest corner of Lake Street and Highway 12 (Dunes Hwy).

7th Avenue was closed between Floyd and Lake Street beginning Thursday, May 19 for sewer relocation work. Local access will be allowed between Floyd and Hamilton. The work will run through August 5, 2022. There will be lane restrictions on Old US 12, but access to Miller Station will be maintained. Click here for detour map.

NIPSCO’s electric team may have periodic lane closures on Melton Road east of Lake Street throughout August for pole holds in support of INDOT US 20 Complete Streets project sewer main installations.

Tennessee and Ohio Streets in Gary will be closed beginning on approximately August 25, 2022 for a duration of 47 days. There is a multi-phased Maintenance of Traffic plan for this work. Click here for additional details.

NICTD’s Double Track Contract 3, awarded to Hasse Construction, includes construction of the new east parking lot site (east of McDonald’s), which has been fenced. Construction of the new east lot began in March. NIPSCO is relocating utilities along Melton Rd.

In order to allow for construction of the new rail line, busing between Gary/Chicago Airport (Clark Rd.) and Carroll Ave. stations is temporarily in effect from Aug. 1-5 for passengers on all weekday and weekend trains. Clark Rd. to Carroll Ave. bus service operates on the regular SSL train time schedule. Loop bus service is provided to Michigan City 11th St. (bus stop located @ 920 Franklin St.) and Beverly Shores Station. Loop buses do not operate on regular SSL train schedules. Please visit https://www.mysouthshoreline.com/news/item/395-long-term-busing-between-carroll-ave-dune-park-stations-effective-feb-28-2022 for the full loop bus schedule. Those passengers will be bused to either Dune Park or Carroll Ave., where they may board the next scheduled SSL train/bus. Bikes are prohibited from boarding at the South Bend Airport Station throughout the duration of busing. Bikes are permitted as regularly scheduled from East Chicago and west.

INDOT’s US 20 Complete Streets Project in Gary:
This project is separate  from Double Track. In Spring of 2022, INDOT began its “Complete Streets” project, which includes the reconstruction of Melton Rd east and west of Lake St. along with sidewalks and plantings. Any questions related to INDOT’s project should be directed to 855-463-6848.  

PORTAGE/OGDEN DUNES STATION AREA
NIPSCO’s electrical team is expected to complete work just east of Portage/Ogden Dunes Station by August 5, 2022. This work may require short-term travel lane restrictions and railroad flagging.  

Installation of a new pedestrian signal for Hillcrest Rd at Portage/Ogden Dunes Station was completed July 29.

The Double Track project’s new Portage/Ogden Dunes South parking lot construction began in March 2022 with completion expected in August 2022.

As of Monday, July 25, the westbound lanes of U.S. 12 west of State Road 249 are closed. This work will take approximately two weeks to complete. Please click here for additional details and detour information.

DUNE PARK STATION AREA
Starting July 25, 2022 for a period of 28 days, the Calumet Trail was closed under the Highway 49 bridge. The estimated reopening date is August 22, 2022. This work is required to add the new second train track and reconstruct this segment of the Calumet Trail in a slightly modified location. Important: the closure also closes the trail connection across NICTD’s tracks just west of Dune Park Station platforms. People who want to access the Calumet Trail or get to the Indiana Dunes State Park on the northward trail should find alternate means to reach their destination. Click here for a more detailed map and press release.  

Waverly Road is expected to be temporarily closed for 5 days in September. Additional information will be provided soon.

DUNE ACRES AREA
Installation of multiple large and small culverts began in early March at locations mostly west of Beverly Shores (one is east of Beverly Shores). Residents can expect equipment moving and vehicles entering and leaving Route 12 and side roads throughout the culvert installations. Culvert work is expected to end in August.

BEVERLY SHORES STATION AREA
Installation of multiple large and small culverts began in early March at locations mostly west of Beverly Shores (one is east of Beverly Shores). Residents can expect equipment moving and vehicles entering and leaving Route 12 and side roads throughout the culvert installations. Culvert work is expected to end in August.

Walsh/Herzog began removing the existing low-level platform the week of May 16. Construction of the two new low-level platforms at Beverly Shores Station is expected to be complete by August 12. Installation of large beams for the NICTD catenary system east and west of Broadway continues. Track, overhead wire and fiber work will be ongoing in the general area through early August.

TOWN OF PINES AREA
NICTD owns the property just west of County Line Road north of US 12 in the Town of Pines. NICTD’s Construction Management firm, WSP, has a construction office (trailer) at this location. Walsh/Herzog Joint Venture, the Double Track Project’s main contractor, also has various trailers onsite. The lot has been fenced by Walsh/Herzog Joint Venture.  There are many vehicles coming and going from this property.

Installation of multiple large and small culverts began in early March at locations mostly west of Beverly Shores (one is east of Beverly Shores). Residents can expect equipment moving and vehicles entering and leaving Route 12 and side roads throughout the culvert installations. Culvert work is expected to end in August.

MICHIGAN CITY – 10TH AND 11TH STREET AREA
Track construction is underway at the east end of the Double Track project in Michigan City (Michigan Blvd is eastern project limit).

Construction on 11th Street began February 28, 2022, which included a full closure of 11th St itself that will run through mid-November, 2022. Michigan City residents can expect north/south street closures that progress westward as construction advances, with signage indicating which streets will be closed and when. The site of the future 11th Street Station and Transit Oriented Development is the block bounded by 10th, 11th, Franklin and Pine Streets. That block is currently fenced and portions of the sidewalk are closed to allow for continuing work.

For full details on the future road conditions after construction, click here.

Installation of the overhead catenary poles is in progress in the Right of Way south of 10th St.

The intersections at 11th and Franklin were converted from a stoplight to a stop sign configuration during construction. Construction on 10th Street will occur to the south of the existing roadway, where the two new tracks will be installed. At the completion of the work, the current tracks down 10th Street will be removed and the roadway repaired.

Willard Ave is closed from July 20 through September 3 to construct the new north track through this intersection.

On July 29 Tennessee Street was closed for a duration of two weeks.

On June 6 the intersection of Washington Street and 11th Street was closed for construction of the new north track through the intersection. Washington Street is anticipated to open on August 3. Franklin Street and Wabash Street remain open during the Washington Street closure to provide north-south access across 11th Street.

After Washington Street opens, Wabash Street will be closed at 11th Street to construct the new north track through this intersection. Wabash Street is expected to close for approximately 30 days on August 4. Franklin Street and Washington Street remain open during the Wabash Street closure to provide north-south access across 11th Street. Road closure information will be updated as work progresses.

NICTD has provided the City of Michigan City with an emergency response contact list. Emergencies should be reported using 911.

Shore Shore Line Double Track NWI construction updates

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!