The Double Track Northwest Indiana Project (the Project) includes construction of 26.6 miles of new second track between Gary and Michigan City, Indiana, along NICTD’s existing South Shore Line (SSL). Elements include approximately two miles of completely new right-of-way in Michigan City, platform reconfigurations at five stations, construction of 1,475 additional parking spaces, a new overhead catenary power system, and reconstruction of 22 at-grade crossings and 20 culverts. The Project is expected to improve safety along the entire alignment, especially in Michigan City where the new alignment will remove the street-running track, eliminate 13 grade crossings, and provide a safer environment for passengers boarding trains.

The Project scope includes improvements at five stations, which will include the following:

· Gary/Miller Station: new station, two new high-level six-car platforms, one 8-car storage track, and one four-car storage track for additional rush hour trains, and an additional 519 parking spaces;

· Portage/Ogden Dunes Station: one new high-level six-car platform on the south side of the tracks and an additional 327 parking spaces;

· Dune Park Station: one new low-level four-car platform on the north side of the tracks, realignment of the Calumet Trail under the State Route (SR) 49 bridge, and an additional 84 parking spaces;

· Beverly Shores Station: two new low-level four-car platforms; and

· 11th Street (Michigan City) Station: removal of embedded street-running track along 10th and 11th Streets; two new tracks south of the 10th Street ROW from Sheridan Avenue to the Amtrak crossing near Chicago Street; two new tracks along 11th Street; one high-level four-car platform; one high-level eight-car platform; a new station house with a parking structure with 437 additional spaces and a new surface parking lot with 108 additional spaces; and conversion of 11th Street to one-way automobile traffic. 

In the opening year (2024), service is planned to operate every 16 minutes during weekday peak periods and approximately every 75 minutes during weekday off-peak periods and evenings. In the horizon year (2040), service is planned to operate every 14 minutes during weekday peak periods and approximately every 70 minutes during weekday off-peak periods and evenings. In both the opening and horizon years, service is planned to operate every 135 minutes on weekends.