Repairs are underway to the South Shore Line’s infrastructure damaged by a June 24 freight train derailment near the East Chicago station.
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District President and CEO David Dech sent a letter to riders Tuesday to update them on the South Shore Line’s response to the derailment.
South Shore Freight, a tenant railroad using the South Shore Line’s tracks, was westbound with a 120-car empty freight train when 13 cars derailed on the Grand Calumet River Bridge, causing significant damage to several structures that support the overhead lines that power the electric passenger trains.
“Because of the bridge’s location and the specialized nature of these structures, repairs are especially complex,” Dech wrote. “Each replacement component must be custom fabricated to fit this specific area.”
Materials began arriving on site Monday.
“Crews have completed removal of the remaining damaged structures and are preparing the bridge for installation of the new components. Fabrication of the replacement structures is taking place both onsite and offsite,” Dech wrote.
“At this time, we do not have a confirmed date for the restoration of full service. Based on the current repair timeline, we anticipate operating under the weekend/holiday schedule and bus bridge for approximately two more weeks,” Dech wrote. “Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and expect the possibility of significant delays.”
For now, the railroad is using buses between the East Chicago and Hammond Gateway stations.
It’s also using a modified version of the weekend/holiday schedule, with the addition of early trains for the morning and afternoon rush between Munster/Dyer and Millennium Station.
“This modified service allows crews to complete repairs and testing as safely and efficiently as possible, with the goal of restoring full weekday service as soon as conditions safely allow,” Dech wrote. That’s why regular weekday service can’t resume yet, he explained.
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Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.