South Shore Double Track

[justalurker66]

The second part lands us in Miller where paving is about half finished (by my estimate) with one week to go in the estimated six week closure. The first half of the paving was done this past week so it is possible the second half will be finished by next weekend.

[justalurker66]

And finally, back to Mineral Springs Rd (Dune Acres). Two new mains extending west from Dune Park past Bailly. Catenary is being hung.

[justalurker66]

Weekend Update
Starting in Miller Indiana where the Lake St crossing is scheduled to open Monday. Some sidewalk work remains to be completed and lines need to be painted. Traffic lights are set to three way stop (flashing red in all directions).

There will be a pedestrian crossing across Lake St to connect to the east parking lot (behind McDonalds) and a bus stop on the east side of the street.

This picture taken at night from Lake St is lit by the old station platform lights off to the right.

[justalurker66]

At Ogden Dunes, Track 1 has been removed and will be replaced by a gauntlet track.

Back in Michigan City, The first layer of asphalt has been laid replacing the tracks on 10th St between Willard St and the Amtrak line.

York St in Michigan City was a brick street before being turned in to a cul-de-sac by the double track construction. The cul-de-sac has received special attention and was repaved in brick over a concrete base, blending in with the existing street.

Elsewhere ...
Work is continuing at Michigan Ave to remove the old westbound access to 11th St. Work has begun at Carroll Ave and School St to add concrete lane dividers needed for the quiet zone.
US 12 is scheduled to close Monday for the bridge over CSX to be placed. One of the cranes is already in place - the other will be parked on the road. The closure is scheduled through Friday.

[JSOH]

US 12 is scheduled to close Monday for the bridge over CSX to be placed. One of the cranes is already in place - the other will be parked on the road. The closure is scheduled through Friday.

This is the last bridge to be installed, correct?

Have you happened to catch any of the test trains between Michigan City and Dune Park?

[justalurker66]

Yes, the CSX bridge is the last one for the entire Double Track project.

I have not managed to catch a test train on my weekend visits. I usually see a freight train on the weekend evenings. This weekend I made a couple of trips and saw a UP powered coal train heading to Michigan City on Saturday night (I watched it clearing signals at Beverly Shores) and a "light engine" move westbound through Michigan City on Sunday Afternoon. I didn't chase either, but I did see working signals and a couple crossings activate in plenty of time (and one crossing that did not activate - it was protected by a CSS employee in a car).

As the testing increases I hope to be able to see a train that I can't outrun. In my car or on foot.

[justalurker66]

Miller Beach today ...
Lake St is open as sidewalk work continues.
Track work continues eastbound as the switch for the layover yard is installed.

Three cranes are being used to place the bridge over the CSX tracks.

[justalurker66]

Ogden Dunes today ...
The gauntlet took shape quickly. The main track will be shifted to the right (south) to line up with the platform and give room for trains on the gauntlet. (Hillcrest Rd will close Monday for the crossing to be rebuilt.) Photos taken from Hillcrest Rd, the south side of US 12 and Contenental Can Rd at the east end of the station.

[justalurker66]

Finally - Michigan City today ...
Quiet Zone improvements are underway at the crossings east of Michigan Ave. This is the crossing at Carroll Ave which is due to open on Monday. The additional concrete barrier in the middle of the road will help qualify the crossing to be included in the proposed Michigan City quiet zone which will extend through town from Carroll Ave to Sheridan Ave.

The rails have been removed from most of 10th St (only the Willard Ave crossing remains). At the Amtrak crossing a remenant of the past (the sign warning drivers to stop for the old South Shore crossing signal removed last November) remains at the curb line.

Gaps in the curbs where driveways and roads were removed are being patched while the road is being repaved.

Overall ... track work seems to be nearing completion with only a couple of gaps (one over the bridges at Burns Harbor, one over the bridges at Miller and the third where the track is approaching former end of double track in Michigan City). About two miles of track left to lay. Catenary not included.