The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) existing South Shore Line (SSL) provides a vital transportation link that connects Northwest Indiana to Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. NICTD is proposing the West Lake Corridor Project as a southern branch extension of the SSL route to reach high-growth areas in Lake County, Indiana. The Project would expand NICTD’s service coverage, improve mobility and accessibility, and stimulate local job creation and economic development opportunities for Lake County.

The West Lake Project benefits include:

    Economic Benefits

  • Faster, less expensive, and more reliable access to jobs in Chicago and other areas of central, southern, and western Lake County, Indiana
  • Transportation choices for travel within the corridor and beyond
  • Encouragement of business investments in station areas to create local jobs

    • Social Benefits

  • Development around station areas that includes public spaces unique to the community and opportunities to support a live/work/play lifestyle
  • Walking trails and bike paths in and around station areas
  • Attracting and retaining families and younger residents

    • Environmental Benefits

  • Transportation options to offset anticipated traffic congestion based on population forecasts
  • Reduction in vehicular emissions
  • Maintaining or relocating existing trails within corridor to embrace a multi-modal corridor



The schedule and key milestones leading to Project completion are provided in the Overall Project Schedule. This schedule shows the activities that will need to occur to move the Project to successful completion by 2026. This schedule is subject to change.

Project Schedule Without Contingency

EIS Process Graphic

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Project Schedule With Contingency

EIS Process Graphic

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