Young Calls Double Track Funding a “Major Step Forward”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) announcement that it will allocate $50.6 million to the South Shore Line Double Track Project. The allocated funding comes in the form of a Capital Investment Grant for Fiscal Year 2020.

“This is a major step forward for a project that has been at the top of Northwest Indiana Hoosiers’ wish list for years and years, and a top Indiana infrastructure priority of mine”Senator Young said. “This down payment complements the tireless work local and state leaders have already done to see this game-changing project through.”

The $50.6 million award is a portion of the $173 million in federal funding requested to add a second track stretching more than 26 miles from Gary to Michigan City. Additionally, platform upgrades will be made at five stops along the line. 

In May, President Trump announced 100 million in funding for the West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail Project. The West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail Project includes the construction of a new eight mile commuter rail line extending from Hammond to Dyer, as well as the construction of four new stations and a new maintenance facility.

The projects combined are expected to attract roughly $2.3 billion in private investment to Northwest Indiana, and create more than 6,000 new jobs and $3 billion in economic impact by 2048.

In June 2017, Senator Young invited U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao to Indiana to see proposed NICTD projects. Later that summer he hosted Secretary Chao in South Bend at the South Bend Airport, where he stressed the importance of the projects to Northwest Indiana. 

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