South Shore Lines get 'Quiet Zone' approval in Michigan City
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- The South Shore Line announced a series of measures it has taken as part of the Double Track project that have made the train quieter and train crossings safer.
As part of the Double Track project that is set to be completed in the coming spring, 20 rail-roadway at-grade crossings were permanently closed and all remaining crossings were equipped with new gates, bells and flashers designed to protect vehicular, pedestrian and train traffic.
South Shore officials say additional safety measures designed to discourage motorists from driving around lowered railroad crossing gates were also implemented.
"With this major investment and improvement in grade crossing safety comes another benefit – the potential to make the NICTD right-of-way through Michigan City into what is called a Quiet Zone," SSL officials said.
Recently, the City of Michigan City’s Quiet Zone Public Authority Application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was approved, and Michigan City issued a Notice of Establishment effective Sept. 16.
“We are pleased to finally have the approval for the Quiet Zone,” Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said. “I think the enhanced safety mechanisms are important for both our residents and our visitors as we complete the train station and the Double Track project. We want to become more pedestrian-friendly and bicycle-friendly, and this is just another step in helping us to do that.”
The routine sounding of train horns is scheduled to stop Oct. 7.
"Once fully established, the Quiet Zone designation will spare residents from train horn blasts required ahead of each railroad/grade crossing for both NICTD’s South Shore Line trains and Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad’s freight trains operating on the NICTD-owned tracks through Michigan City," SSL officials said.
Train horns will still be used in emergency situations or to comply with other federal regulations, railroad operating rules, or at the discretion of the engineer, and the Quiet Zone only applies to NICTD-owned tracks in Michigan City, not tracks owned by other railroads.
“We want to keep all drivers, pedestrians, and passengers safe on our trains and around our tracks, while also being respectful of the communities we serve,” said Nicole Barker, South Shore Line Director of Capital Investment and Implementation. “This is another great milestone achieved for the City of Michigan City and NICTD, and we thank the city for advancing this with the FRA.”
The company says work has been completed on 38 crossings over the course of the Double Track NWI project and the following are the approved Quiet Zone streets along the NICTD-owned railroad right-of-way in Michigan City:
- N. Carroll Avenue
- Pleasant Avenue
- N. Woodland Avenue
- Grace Street
- School Street
- Vail Street
- Michigan Boulevard
- Phillips Street
- Maple Street
- Oak Street
- York Street
- Lafayette Street
- Cedar Street
- Spring Street
- Pine Street
- Franklin Street
- Washington Street
- Wabash Street
- Buffalo Street
- Manhattan Street
- Elston Street
- Ohio Street
- Tennessee Street
- 11th Street
- Kentucky Street
- Chicago Street
- W. 10th Street
- Claire Street
- Willard Avenue
- Donnelly Street
- Grant Avenue
- Carlon Court
- Douglas Avenue
- Seymour Street
- Hancock Avenue
- Greeley Avenue
- Hayes Avenue
- Sheridan Avenue
“The Double Track Northwest Indiana project spanning from Gary to Michigan City is nearly complete as Flaherty & Collins continues work on the 11th Street Station and Parking Structure, currently scheduled for completion in February 2025,” said SSL President Michael Noland. “We are thrilled to deliver this exciting project to Michigan City."