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(574) 235 -9321 <br />November 9, 2016 <br />c�OuTa <br />'0. <br />1w <br />Common Council <br />City of South Bend Indiana <br />4th Floor County -City Building <br />227 West Jefferson Boulevard <br />South Bend, Indiana 46601 <br />(574) 235 -9173 Facsimile <br />Members of the South Bend Common Council <br />4th Floor County -City Building <br />South Bend, Indiana 46601 <br />it „;� <br />lark'$ Office <br />NOV 0 9 2016 <br />KAREEMAH FOWLER <br />OIJTH 8.st: In IN <br />Re: Support for the South Shore Line Proposed Upgrades and Improvements - <br />35 -5567 TTY /TDD <br />Dear Council Members: <br />On November 2, 2016, U.S. Representative Peter J. Visclosky spoke before the Michigan City Common Council <br />urging them to approve a proposed resolution approving an Operating Agreement for the Double Track Project <br />between their city and the Northwest Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). The proposed upgrades <br />of the South Shore Line in the Michigan City area is commonly referred to as the "Double Track NWI ". It calls <br />for a second set of tracks from Gary to Michigan City; as well as new high -level boarding platforms to improve <br />boarding and disembarking from the South Shore Line trains. <br />The South Shore is applying for a federal grant which would pay for approximately one -half of the project's <br />estimated $210 million cost; and the competition for federal funding is very competitive. <br />The attached proposed Resolution sets forth detailed information on the NICTD's 20 -Year Strategic Business <br />Plan which sets forth proposals on updates and major improvements on the South Shore Line operations in the <br />four (4) Indiana counties of St. Joseph, LaPorte, Porter and Lake. The capital plan upgrades include a proposed <br />$15 million upgrades identified as the "South Bend Realignment ". <br />As Chairperson of the Council's Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, I believe that the Council's <br />support of the attached Resolution addressing the proposed plan to upgrade and improve the South Shore Line <br />may assist in the competitive federal grant application process. The many anticipated benefits of such upgrades <br />to all communities served by the South Shore Line would contribute to all of their best interests. I have attached <br />a copy of the Executive Summary of the 20 -Year Strategic Business Plan for your review. I seek your support of <br />this innovative plan which will boast transit and contribute to lasting and needed improvements. Thank you. <br />Most sincerely, <br />,a ;�. �� <br />Council Member Jo (Maternowski) Broden <br />4th District Common Council Member <br />Attachment <br />