16-87 Supporting South Shore Line Upgrades

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South Shore Line Resolution Page 2 Project" aimed at modernizing and improving the South Shore Line's facilities through the four (4) Indiana counties of Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph. i i i i i 11_1_ I-, Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, acknowledges that the 20 -Year Strategic Business Plan of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) was published in May of 2014. It proposes to include a four -point investment strategy addressing "baseline capital costs" to "keep the South Shore Line operating safely and efficiently" which would include: • $30 million for capital improvements on Metra Facilities • $43 million for positive train control • $98 million for double tracking • $250 million for new car orders It would benefit tremendously the residents, businesses and visitors of St. Joseph, LaPorte, Porter and Lake counties in Indiana, resulting in increased ridership on the South Shore Line, increasing train frequency, significantly reducing travel time, improving and modernizing overall operations by reducing track and road maintenance costs by upgrading and realigning tracks, reducing the number of grade crossings, and improving South Shore Line facilities. An aggressive implementation schedule, with a majority of such proposed projects being completed by 2022 has been proposed. An Executive Summary of the Strategic Business Plan is available at: https: / /www.in.gov /rda/files /Strategic Business Plan 20140528 Final .pd . Section II. The Common Council believes that the proposed South Bend Realignment projected to cost approximately $15 million would promote quality transit development and would contribute to increasing economic development not only in the South Bend and St. Joseph County area, but would be a significant catalyst for fostering positive growth in all of the four (4) counties between South Bend and downtown Chicago which are connected by the South Shore Line. Section III. The Common Council pledges its support to collaborate with all elected and appointed public officials, the NICTD Board, and interested citizens so that the necessary steps to meet the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements regarding the proposed improvements and upgrades can meet the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) "Core Capacity" funding guidelines. Section IV. The Common Council believes that it is in the best interests of the City of South Bend, Indiana to positively move the transportation advancements forward. Section V. Upon the adoption of this Resolution, the Office of the City Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to: Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) 33 East U.S. Highway 12 Chesterton, Indiana 46304 South Shore Line Attn: Double Track NWI 33 East U.S. Highway 12 Chesterton, Indiana 46304