The South Shore Line’s first-ever expansion, a new 8-mile route between Hammond, Ind., and Munster/Dyer, will open on March 31. The new “Monon Corridor” follows the route of the original Monon Railroad that was abandoned in the 1980s. 

The new branch line was first proposed back in the 2000s, as the population of northwest Indiana grew. The project was funded by the federal government in 2019 and broke ground in 2020. During construction, the route was dubbed the West Lake Corridor, but with service now beginning, it is being renamed. 

“We are thrilled to open the long-awaited West Lake Corridor to the public. This new branch has been named the Monon Corridor in honor of the historic Monon Railroad, whose former right-of-way is used for the line. The Monon Corridor provides additional convenient service options to rapidly growing areas of Lake County, Indiana, and surrounding communities. The South Shore Line team stands eager and ready to serve passengers,” said Michael Noland, former South Shore Line president, who retired in March. 

—Justin Franz