(Merrillville, IN) - The South Shore commuter train line expansion is back on track. After initial construction bids came in too high back in May, the second round of bidding was more successful.
This week, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District awarded a contract to Walsh/Herzog Joint Ventures out of Crown Point. Their bid of nearly $305 million was about $18 million cheaper than the competing bid from a Chicago-based contractor.
Construction will primarily involve installing a second set of commuter tracks between Gary and Michigan City. Work is expected to take two construction seasons from next year through 2024.
Work to relocate utilities along the route has already begun. Michigan City’s 11th Street Station will be replaced with a new station while preserving the original historic façade.
Contracts for other project phases totaling over $20 million were also approved. That includes an agreement with Royal Excursion of Mishawaka not to exceed $8.8 million for bussing passengers during construction interruptions.
