Purple Line, South Shore to Receive Federal Money
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Indiana nearly $180 million for two key infrastructure projects, including IndyGo’s proposed Purple Line and South Shore Line’s West Lake Corridor project.
In a tweet Thursday evening, President Donald Trump said “a big announcement for the State of Indiana! $77.5M” in U.S. Department of Transportation funds for what Trump called a “game changing” transit project.
The message went on to say the project would provide fast and frequent service to the people of Indianapolis and Lawrence.
IndyGo confirmed to Inside INdiana Business the $77.5 million is earmarked for the 15.2-mile Purple Line project which would run from Indianapolis to the city of Lawrence. The federal funding will cover half the cost of the projected $155 million bus line.
IndyGo said the Purple Line project will replace and improve the existing Route 39 local service.
In a second tweet from Trump, the president said Indiana is set to receive $100 million in USDOT funding for the South Shore Line “to connect people to jobs around the state and the Chicago-area and help cut down on traffic.”
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District confirmed it will receive $100 million to allow it to begin a new phase of the West Lake Corridor rail project.
The approximately $800 million project would create South Shore Line commuter service from Dyer to Hammond by adding a nine mile-long stretch of new track and four new passenger stations.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story indicated the $100 million is for the South Shore’s double-track project that will add a second mainline between Michigan City and Gary. This is incorrect. Our apologies for the error.