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.

[justalurker66]

Michigan City on Sunday ...
The west end of 10th St is nearly complete.

Ogden Dunes ...
Hillcrest Rd has been rebuilt for the new crossing and work continues on the track past the new platform.

[justalurker66]

South Shore Line preparing to open first leg of Double Track route

The South Shore is targeting the week of Oct. 16 to begin running trains between Michigan City and Dune Park, railroad President and General Manager Michael Noland told its Board of Trustees Monday.

"We have successfully completed out test runs — commissioning and testing the segment between Michigan City and Dune Park," Noland said. "Everything's been tested, everything worked out very well."

He said contractor Walsh Herzog is finishing some remaining work items on the railroad this week, and next week South Shore train crews will do "route familiarization" runs.

The railroad will continue bussing between Dune Park and Gary Metro Center as it works to complete the $378 million Double Track project by next May, when it plans to begin full, expanded service along the Chicago-to-South Bend commuter rail line.



Subscription required for full story ...
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/sou ... ac522.html

[justalurker66]

Working through a few remaining items -

Work underway on the ballast on track 1 at the station.

Traffic Lights are working in downtown Michigan City, including the walk lights.
(After stopping for the tracks for the past 20 months some drivers are stopping for the green lights!)

Please walk.

[justalurker66]

Washington St with one southbound lane will have a left turn cycle.

Wabash St has a dedicated left turn lane.

The northbound signals are "laid back". These signals have special lenses that intentionally make them difficult to see from a distance. When the traffic lights were initially installed, there were lights before the intersection and a second set on the far side of the intersection. This would have allowed the lights to enter the intersection to turn red while anyone in the intersection would see a green light. When the near side lights were removed the remaining far side lights could not be seen more than 50 ft or so from the intersection. That is dangerous. So the lights have been tipped back so they can now be seen from several blocks away. The lights appear dark once one is in the intersection.

[justalurker66]

The ADA has arrived at Beverly Shores. In the published planning documents, Beverly Shores was not going to be a fully accessible station. After initial construction the crews have gone back, cut out some concrete and added new concrete and tactile strips to mark the platform edge (the original tactile strips were removed several weeks ago).

The classic station with new steps and a ramp down from the waiting area porch to the platform (and parking lot connection).

A closer look at the new steps ... originally built with one large step.

Concrete extensions have been built next to the call button used to flag trains to make the button easier to reach. Pads have also been added on both sides of the track for chair lifts.

[justalurker66]

https://mysouthshoreline.com/south-shor ... t-25-2023/

In order to accommodate the South Shore Line’s successful completion of the first phase of the Double Track NWI project in Michigan City, a train schedule revision will be implemented effective Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.

The completion of this construction segment allows for the resumption of train service between Dune Park and Carroll Ave. stations on Oct. 25, including the return of train service to/from Beverly Shores and 11th St. stations. Busing substitution will remain in effect between Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations until the project’s completion in spring 2024.

[Saturnalia]

Beverly Shores is great, only problem now is that the blue light is behind the pole line as viewed from approaching trains, and the call button is in the middle of the platform so the noobs will struggle to find it.

It’s ADA now because of the FTA funds it, it has to be, even though flag stops are typically exempted. As noted there will be a lift on both sides. Most likely, given the low ridership there, lifts will be uncommon, and I would have a hunch that most locals who cannot climb stairs would simply choose Dune Park or 11th Street for barrier free access.

It cannot be stressed enough how awesome high level platforms are for everybody, but they are incredibly liberating for those with mobility challenges.

[justalurker66]

I assume any ADA riders in Michigan City will start using the 11th St station instead of Shops. I agree that high level platforms benefit all passengers. They provide equal access for those with limited mobility and they reduce ADA related delays for non-mobility limited passengers.

I remember the discussions about Beverly Shores before the project was funded. Locals wanted boarding ramps similar to the ones at Ogden Dunes that had a platform edge that lowered to meet the train. Designers said that was not needed due to the volume of passengers at the station and did not plan for any ADA improvements. The initial build of the new Beverly Shores platforms in 2022 reflected that decision.

I have heard of ADA lawsuits where a law firm will find a business that is non-compliant and find an individual who they can use as a named individual that cannot use that business and then sue for damages. Some of these lawsuits are scams where the business was found through street view and the named individual never had intent to visit that business (even living out of state). The named individual receives $1000 for the use of their name and the law firm receives the multi-million dollar settlement.

In this case there are real mobility limited passengers who complained before the new station platforms were built. Existing facilities can be grandfathered with ADA, but any major word (such as a business rebuilding the entrance to their building) usually triggers ADA compliance. I am surprised that the improvements were not built in 2022 - but I am glad to see them there now. Before the scammy lawyers cash in.

[Saturnalia]

AFAIK the FTA will no longer pay for “high minis” like Ogden Dunes as an ADA solution.

[justalurker66]

This weekend in Ogden Dunes ---

Raising the roof on the platform as the gaunlet track is being installed.

Road work on US 12 to add turn lanes for Ogden Dunes. The road has been cut for a median.

The platform as seen from US 12.

[justalurker66]

This weekend in Miller at the CSX bridge ...

The ground has been cleared around the bridges so you can actually see the new bridge in the center with the older South Shore bridge to the left and the US 12 bridge to the east.

A closer look at the two South Shore bridges.

Passenger service resumes Oct 25th! Just need a train to complete this photo.