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RDC approves Phase 1b utility and railroad agreements pending minor exhibit updates
Summary
The Burns Harbor RDC approved a NIPSCO right‑of‑way agreement and approved the Norfolk Southern agreement contingent on an updated Exhibit B; staff said the National Park Service and Norfolk Southern agree the proposed eight‑foot chain‑link fence is unnecessary but formal removal is pending.
Staff updated the commission on Phase 1b of the Marquette Greenway project, reporting that the National Park Service (NPS) has accepted most of Burns Harbor and Porter’s edits and that a final signed NPS construction agreement is expected within about 30 days.
The commission reviewed a NIPSCO right‑of‑way agreement. Clay (staff review) recommended approval; Speaker 1 moved to approve the NIPSCO agreement and the commission voted to approve it.
The meeting then focused on a separate Norfolk Southern (NS) agreement tied to the trail crossing. Staff explained that NS had proposed an eight‑foot chain‑link fence along a prairie area in the draft exhibit — a measure both the town and the National Park Service opposed as costly and of limited utility. Tina (staff) told the commission that the Norfolk Southern representative "does agree that the fence is not necessary," but formal documentation removing the fence language from Exhibit B had not yet been received. Tina recommended approving the NS agreement while withholding signature until Exhibit B is finalized and updated to reflect the parties’ agreement.
Speaker 1 moved to approve the NS agreement subject to updating Exhibit B; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the conditional motion by roll call. Staff said, once Norfolk Southern provides formal confirmation, the updated exhibit will be inserted into the agreement and a final signed copy will be filed with town hall.
No substantive design changes or additional funding were approved tonight; staff said they would circulate the updated exhibit and 95% plans when available.
