Efforts to build a new South Shore Line station in South Bend, Indiana, have stalled.
Michael Nolan, president of South Shore parent organization Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District said the railroad’s current top priority is completing the double tracking project between Michigan City and Gary, Indiana.
NITCD also is overseeing construction of a line to Dyer, Indiana, which will link with the mainline between Chicago and South Bend.
Nolan said he hopes that in time one of two competing ideas for a new South Bend station will gain widespread support.
One proposal is to establish a station in downtown South Bend.
That concept has the city’s support but would cost between $112 million to $200 million and involve significant property acquisitions for a new right-of-way, relocation of the city’s Amtrak stop, and demolition of buildings at a public housing complex.
St. Joseph County favors a plan for a new station near the South Bend airport.
That proposal would cost at least $50 million and require the demolition of 40 homes.
It would also need approval of the Federal Aviation Administration because it would require construction of tracks and overhead catenary through a clear zone off one of the airport’s runways.
The advantage of that plan, though, is that it would eliminate a long, indirect looping route to reach the current airport station.