West Lake Corridor project receives $203.3 million RRIF loan
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau has finalized a $203.3 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement (RRIF) loan that will help deliver the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s eight-mile West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail Project.
“USDOT is excited to provide financing for the West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail project. Multi-modal investments like this support thriving communities, expand transportation options and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg.
The single-track extension of the South Shore Line includes four new stations between Dyer and Hammond, Ind., that will improve travel times and reliability of trains to the Chicago area, as well as expand multi-modal options with new sidewalks, walking trails and bike paths in and around stations areas. The project also includes one maintenance and storage facility, three traction power substations, refurbishing 32 commuter rail cars and construction of more than 2,300 park and ride spaces.
In March 2022, the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) issued a Notice of Determination to issue bonds not to exceed $300,000 to support the West Lake Corridor project. The IFA is the borrower of the RRIF loan and, along with the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA), serves as a funding partner on the project.
The nearly $945 million project is also being funded the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants Program. In October 2020, NICTD and FTA executed a Full Funding Grant Agreement for $345.5 million for the project. Congress has allocated more than $197 million to the project through FY 2021.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
