NICTD Strategic Business Plan
Northern Indiana and Illinois
Overview
The South Shore Line, a vital commuter link between Chicago and South Bend, Indiana, faced an inflection point following the COVID-19 pandemic and the advancement of the West Lake Line and Double Track expansions. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) required an updated Strategic Business Plan that could account for shifted travel patterns and integrate capital improvement investments into a cohesive vision to replace its 2014 framework. Antero Group addressed this challenge by performing a comprehensive suite of commuter, recreational, and connectivity analyses to support recommendations in the updated Plan. By identifying strategic investment priorities and enhancements to transit accessibility, the resulting plan establishes a framework for regional infrastructure development over the next two decades and ensures that these investments drive economic vitality across the region.
Client
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
Scope of Services
- Comprehensive Rail and Regional Connectivity Analysis
- Land Use and Zoning Analysis
- GIS Mapping and Analysis
- Existing Conditions Analysis
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement
Outcomes
- Assessed opportunities to expand and enhance Transit Development District (TDD) benefits.
- Identified priority stations and markets by analyzing commuter groups and travel patterns to support ridership growth.
- Evaluated first- and last-mile connections and opportunities to improve multimodal connectivity and partnerships along the corridor.
- Documented recreational assets and identified opportunities to grow recreational travel on the South Shore Line.
