Rail passenger service is coming back to the historic Union Station in downtown South Bend.
The city announced funding for 80% of the project from the Federal Railroad Administation. Amtrak rail passenger service runs out of a station.
The goal is to move that service to Union Station, which is nearly 100 years old.
South Bend got the federal grant, which will fund the design and engineering to bring the intercity rail to life.
More information from the City of South Bend:
“This competitive federal grant is another strong signal of the momentum we’re building across South Bend and the new possibilities that emerge from years of investment and strong partnerships,” said Mayor James Mueller. “Brining passenger rail service back to Union Station will reconnect South Bend to many economic and recreational opportunities of the national rail network. This is an exciting step forward for South Bend’s future and the transformation of our city center.”
The federal grant will fund 80 percent of the project’s $4.81 million planning and development phase. The work will include public engagement, environmental review, conceptual design, preliminary engineering, and coordination with Amtrak and the host railroads. Completion of this phase will position the City to pursue future funding for construction of the relocated station.
The Activating Passenger Rail at South Bend Union Station project will identify the improvements needed to relocate Amtrak service from its current station west of downtown to the City-owned Union Station. Planning efforts will evaluate potential platform locations, track and signal improvements, accessible enhancements, station amenities, rail operations, and connections to local transportation services.
The City purchased the Union Station in 2024 for $2.432 million, removing a major barrier to restoring passenger rail service downtown. Built in 1929, the Art Deco station served rail passengers until 1971 and remains one of South Bend’s most recognizable historic transportation assets.
Located downtown, Union Station is within walking distance of jobs, housing, entertainment venues, educational institutions, and major redevelopment projects. The station is also approximately one block from Transpo’s South Street Station, where 15 public bus routes coverage. Relocating passenger rail service downtown would create stronger connections between intercity rail, local transit, and the growing number of destinations in South Bend’s urban core.
