(Michigan City, IN) - Plans for a double track for the South Shore Railroad commuter line seem even more set in stone.  $50 million in federal funding was recently approved to move that project further along in the process.

La Porte School Board member Jim Arnold, who serves on the governing body for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, said such a large amount of federal funding wouldn’t be approved if decision makers in the nation’s capital were not committed to project.  Arnold says the funding also came with a desire to speed up the process which could mean the project being finished sometime in 2023 or a year sooner than the original target date for completion.

Adding a track to the existing single line from Michigan City to Gary is projected to reduce travel times to Chicago by 30 minutes.  Supporters believe reduced travel times will lead to significant economic growth in areas like new housing.

Federal funding was approved several months ago to pay for things like engineering.