MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — A century-old coaling tower built by the Michigan Central Railroad will be torn down next year, leading to a disruption of Amtrak service for up to two weeks, WCOE and WLOI radio report.
The massive concrete structure straddling the Amtrak-owned trackage, a local landmark dating to 1923 (some sources say 1924), will be demolished over a 14-day period, Amtrak’s Lorenzo Perez told the radio stations. The work is not expected to begin before September 2025 because of the process requiring approval from the Federal Railroad Administration before demolition can begin.
The project has been moved up by at least a year because of the structure’s deteriorating condition and the risk it poses to the eight Amtrak trains that pass beneath it daily — three round trips of the Wolverine and one of the Blue Water. During the work, passengers will be bused the approximately 60 miles between Chicago and New Buffalo, Mich.
Amtrak is seeking an exception to Michigan City noise ordinances to allow it to work around the clock to move the structure east of downtown Michigan City. The ordinance prohibits work between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Skyler York, the city’s planning director, told the station he will expects to grant an exception as long as Amtrak agrees to conditions he will submit to it in writing. Noise is not considered a significant issue because the area around the coaling tower is mostly industrial.
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