Digest: South Shore Line Double Track construction bids are higher than expected

South Shore faces decision after receiving higher-than-expected bids for Double Track project

Bids for construction of the South Shore Line’s Double Track project came in higher than expected, leaving the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to decide whether to accept the lowest bid or reject both offers in an attempt to achieve a lower price. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports the commuter agency’s president, Michael Noland, had expected four bids, but received two, one for about $400 million and another for about $425 million. The total budget for the project to add a second main line between Gary and Michigan City, Ind., has been estimate at $491 million. Separately, the NICTD agreed to two other contracts: $16.7 million for a new 11th Street Station, and $4.1 million for a new Gary Miller station. The existing 11th Street Station closed Saturday; service at 11th Street will not resume until the conclusion of the project.

Watco opens transload facility near Refugio, Texas

Short line, transportation, and logistics company Watco has opened a new rail, storage, and transload facility near Refugio, Texas, to support industries in the Corpus Christi, Rockport, and Sinton areas. The 222-arce terminal is served by BNSF and Union Pacific and features space for 650 railcars with plans for additional expansion or a Storage in Transit yard. The transload terminal offers eight 2,000-ton concrete silos for handling bulk commodities. “We are excited at the opportunity to bring in new customers to the facility and provide consistent and cost-effective storage, transportation and transloading options,” Maureen Conaway Solomon, Watco Vice President of Sales, said in a press release.

Des Plaines, Ill., purchases land for new Metra station

Aldermen in Des Plaines, Ill., have approved the purchase of property for a planned station on Metra’s North Central line. Journal and Topics reports the $190,619 purchase is for a vacant lot that once was home to an ice house. The planned station would cost up to $4 million and must still be approved by Metra. Officials hope it will spur development in the area. Des Plaines already has one Metra station, on the Union Pacific Northwest line about 1.4 miles from the new station site.