The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) as project sponsor to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Section 4(f) Evaluation pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act for the West Lake Corridor Project. The DEIS evaluated an extension of the South Shore Line between the Munster/Dyer area and Metra’s Millennium Station in Downtown Chicago. The DEIS documents the benefits and impacts of the alternatives considered is available on the Project website www.nictdwestlake.com for public comment and review, from December 16, 2016 to February 3, 2017.
A copy of the DEIS is also available for public review at local libraries: Hammond Public Library, Lake County Public Library (Munster and Dyer-Schererville branches), and at the NICTD administrative offices in Chesterton, IN. NICTD will hold three public hearings to present the results of the DEIS and solicit public comments.
The public hearings will be held:
- Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Protsman Elementary School, 1121 Harrison Avenue, Dyer, Indiana 46311
- Wednesday, January 18, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Washington Irving Elementary School, 4727 Pine Avenue, Hammond, Indiana 46327
- Thursday, January 19, 2017, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Centennial Park, 1005 South Centennial Drive, Munster, Indiana 46321
The public and interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend. These hearings will be conducted in an open house format. Comments on the DEIS may be made verbally to a court reporter at the public hearing or in writing during the 45-day public comment period. The hearing locations are accessible to people with disabilities. For any person requiring an interpreter, including sign language services or other special accommodations contact the automated comment line at 219-250-2920, a minimum of 5 days in advance of the hearing date. Comments may be submitted at the public hearings, on line at www.nictdwestlake.com, via email at [email protected], via the automated comment line at 219-250-2920, or in writing, mailed to NICTD, DEIS West Lake Corridor Project, 33 East U.S. Highway 12, Chesterton, IN 46304.
“Completion of the DEIS, which was started in 2014, is an important milestone in the region’s collective effort to enhance connectivity, and moves the West Lake project one step closer to start of operations. This new rail line represents an exciting opportunity for growth and economic expansion and we look forward to presenting our plan to the public,” said Michael Noland, President of NICTD.
For additional information on this project, visit the project website at www.nictdwestlake.com.
