South Bend Airport's Relocation: A New Chapter For Indiana

There are proposals to relocate South Bend International Airport's South Shore Line station in South Bend, Indiana. The existing station, located on the airport's east side, was initially intended to be a temporary location. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) has plans to move the station to the west side of the airport, which could reduce travel time by up to 15 minutes. However, there is also public debate about constructing a station in downtown South Bend instead.

The South Shore Line station at the airport in South Bend, Indiana, is being relocated from the east to the west side

The relocation plans have been in the works since 2006, with a study conducted in 2008 and further attempts in 2017. The project is estimated to cost $50-75 million, with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Surface Transportation Act. The NICTD has reached an agreement with the airport authority to acquire an easement for the new route to the west side of the airport. The current route involves trains circling back to approach the terminal from the east, whereas the new route will provide a more direct approach.

The South Shore Line trains currently take a winding route to the airport, located three miles northwest of downtown South Bend. The new route will improve travel efficiency and reduce the number of at-grade crossings. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board of trustees has voted to update engineering and environmental planning for the relocation project.

The South Shore Line station at the South Bend International Airport is a terminus for the train service. The new route will provide a faster and more direct connection to the airport, improving the overall travel experience for commuters. The relocation is expected to have a positive economic impact, with potential ten-year economic impacts studied and considered in the planning process.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District is reviving plans to relocate the station

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) is reviving plans to relocate the South Shore Line station at South Bend International Airport. The NICTD board of trustees has voted to issue a request for proposals to update engineering and environmental planning for the relocation project. The current station, which is on the east side of the airport, has a long and indirect route that adds 12 to 15 minutes to every train journey to and from Chicago.

The proposed new station on the west side of the airport would provide a more direct route, reducing travel time by up to 15 minutes. The NICTD has secured an agreement with the airport authority to acquire an easement to the west side of the airport, pending Federal Aviation Administration approval. The shorter route is expected to improve overall service reliability and reduce travel time to the Chicago Loop.

The original airport station, which opened in 1990, was intended to be temporary, but a 2008 study to relocate the station never gained traction. A 2017 effort to move forward with the project faced opposition from property owners, and there was also discussion about moving the station to downtown South Bend. However, the cost of a downtown station would be significantly higher, estimated at over $250 million, compared to $50 to $75 million for relocating the airport station.

The revived relocation project is being driven by the availability of federal funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With South Shore improvements already in progress, the project could enable faster travel from downtown Chicago to the South Bend airport, with a target of 90 minutes. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's primary mission is to provide safe and reliable transportation to its customers, and this project aligns with that goal.

The airport station was intended to be temporary and was opened in 1990 or 1992

The South Shore Line station at the South Bend International Airport in Indiana was initially opened in 1990 or 1992 and was intended to be a temporary station for the city. The station is located on the east side of the airport and was chosen due to the existence of a freight spur at the site. However, the route that carries the South Shore Line to the station is considered slow and circuitous. As a result, there have been long-standing plans to relocate the station to the west side of the airport to improve travel times and reduce the number of at-grade crossings.

In 2006, officials began making plans to move the station to the west side of the airport, and these plans gained support again in 2017. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), which operates the South Shore Line, has been working to advance these plans. In 2017, the South Bend redevelopment commission voted to spend $25 million in tax increment financing funds to build a new station, with additional funding coming from St. Joseph County. This funding would contribute to the relocation of the station to the west side of the airport, reducing travel times by up to 15 minutes.

However, there has also been public debate about building a station in Downtown South Bend instead, with former mayor Pete Buttigieg championing this idea. A study in 2018 analyzed several possible sites for the station, including the west side of the airport, downtown South Bend, a Honeywell Corporation-owned property, the South Bend Amtrak station, and the South Bend Chocolate Factory site. Despite the ongoing discussions and studies, no decision has been made as of 2021, with community leaders divided between the two options.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District is working to secure federal funding for the project, with NICTD President Mike Noland emphasizing the urgency of acquiring funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The current agreement with the airport authority allows the NICTD to acquire an easement for a route to the west side of the airport, with the move expected to save 12 to 15 minutes for each train traveling to and from Chicago. The agreement also includes provisions for the waiting room and parking for South Shore passengers.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District will acquire an easement for a new route through an appraisal process

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) has reached an agreement to build a new, shorter route into South Bend International Airport. This new route will cut travel time by 12 to 15 minutes for South Shore Line commuter trains serving the airport. The agreement, which comes after almost three years of negotiations between NICTD and the airport authority, allows the railroad to acquire an easement to the airport's west side.

The current route involves trains heading slightly past the airport before circling back to approach the terminal from the east. The new route will require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The NICTD will acquire the easement through an appraisal process. The railroad will also pay the airport $25,000 a year to use some of its terminal space as a waiting room, and the airport will continue to provide parking for South Shore passengers.

The South Shore Line has been connecting Chicago, Gary, Michigan City, South Bend, and everything in between since 1908. The airport is located three miles northwest of downtown South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana. It is the second busiest airport in the state in terms of passenger traffic, with 337,140 passenger enplanements in 2020 and an estimated total air passenger volume of over 680,000.

The agreement between NICTD and the airport authority runs for 50 years, with options for two 25-year extensions. Until the move to the west side of the airport takes place, the railroad will pay the airport $75,000 a year to continue running to the east side.

The new route will cut travel time by up to 15 minutes

The South Shore Line commuter rail service has been a convenient mode of transportation for passengers travelling to and from the South Bend International Airport. However, the route to the airport has been considered slow and circuitous, with trains taking a long route to circle back to the terminal from the east. To address this issue, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) has been working on plans to relocate the South Shore Line station to the west side of the airport, shortening the travel distance.

The current route to the airport involves a slow and winding path with many at-grade crossings, adding to the travel time. By relocating the station to the west side, the NICTD aims to cut down travel time by up to 15 minutes for each train travelling to and from Chicago. This new route will not only save time but also improve the efficiency of the service.

The proposal to move the South Shore Line station has been under discussion for several years. In 2017, the idea gained support, but it faced opposition from residents whose properties would be impacted by the new tracks. Alternate proposals emerged, including building a station near tourist attractions or in downtown South Bend. However, the west side of the airport remained a primary contender due to its potential for reducing travel time and the number of grade crossings.

The NICTD has reached an agreement with the airport authority to acquire an easement for the new route to the west side of the airport. This agreement also includes provisions for the use of terminal space and parking for South Shore passengers. The project is estimated to cost between $50 million and $75 million, and the NICTD is seeking federal funding to make it a reality.

The new route to the west side of South Bend International Airport is designed to enhance the efficiency and speed of commuter train services. By cutting travel time by up to 15 minutes, the NICTD aims to provide a more convenient and attractive option for passengers travelling to and from the airport. This development is part of ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

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