South Shore Line train service remained suspended Thursday after a freight train derailment and power loss Wednesday night near East Chicago and Gary, Ind., officials said.
Passengers were encouraged to find alternate transportation methods to commute to and from Chicago after the Monon and Lakeshore South service was suspended. Crews were working to fix the issue, but the time frame for repairs had not yet been determined, according to a South Shore Line service alert.
The South Shore Line is a commuter rail line operating between Millennium station in Chicago and the South Bend International Airport in Indiana.
Nicole Barker, a spokesperson for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTC), which operates the South Shore Line, said that officials are evaluating whether it’s possible to reopen the Monon Corridor at some point on Thursday.
“We don’t have a timeline for the Lakeshore Corridor yet but we are working as hard as we can to restore service,” Barker said.
NICTD is evaluating the damage caused by the freight derailment, which includes catenary damage, signal damage, and “a variety of different things we have to deal with, including getting those derailed cars that are leaning off of the tracks,” Barker added.
While a bus shuttle has not been put in place, passengers trying to get to Chicago can drive to Hegewisch Station, where Metra is operating and honoring South Shore Line tickets, Barker said.
Updates on when service will resume will be provided as they become available. Riders are also urged to check South Shore Line’s website or the South Shore mobile app for service updates.
Delays may still occur after service is restored, according to the alert.
A CTA spokesperson confirmed the derailment is not affecting any of their trains, as they do not share any tracks with South Shore Line.