Amtrak wants to demolish historic Michigan City coal tower along train route
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Once a reminder of a different era in railroad history and now a safety concern, Amtrak officials are asking for approvals to tear down a historic coaling station in Michigan City.
The tower, which is 100 feet tall and once helped pour coal into trains, has fallen into disrepair and poses safety risks to Amtrak’s eight daily passenger trains that run beneath it. The tower was first built in 1923.
According to our partners at the Times of Northwest Indiana, Amtrak representatives have requested an exception in Michigan City’s noise ordinance that would allow crews to efficiently tear down the structure.
Amtrak says it could remove the tower in 14 days if it is allowed to work around the clock. The city’s noise ordinance would prevent work from being done overnight.
According to the publication, Michigan City Director of Planning and Inspection Skyler York said he will likely grant the exception as long as Amtrak notifies nearby residents and submits a plan to mitigate the dust kicked up by the process.
However Amtrak would also need approval from the Federal Railroad Administration, meaning any work likely wouldn’t start until late 2025.
U.S. 12 would remain open during the construction, with Amtrak bussing train passengers between Chicago and New Buffalo, Michigan, while the work is being done.