NATO to Delay, Cancel Some South Shore Line Trains

Passengers of the South Shore Line trains should expect cancelled trains and significant delays during the upcoming NATO Summit.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District announced Monday that there will be several train cancellations for the South Shore Line as well as heightened security measures between May 19 and May 21.

Delays in normal train operations are likely. In fact, NICTD advises commuters to postpone traveling on the South Shore Line over the weekend if possible.

On Saturday and Sunday, all trains will operate normally but will bypass two stations, McCormick Place and Museum Campus/11th Street, which will be closed both days.

On Monday, only the Museum Campus/11th Street station will be closed altogether. Trains to and from Millennium Station will be cancelled between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The cancelled westbound trains include train 214 arriving at 11:12 a.m., train 116 arriving at 12:39 p.m., train 216 arriving at 1:21 p.m., train 18 arriving at 2:24 p.m., train 118 arriving at 4:16 p.m., train 218 arriving at 5:34 p.m., and train 20 arriving at 6:32 p.m. Westbound trains arriving at Millennium Station will resume with the arrival of train 220 at 7:55 p.m.

The cancelled eastbound trains include train 205 departing at 6:55 a.m., train 207 departing at 7:59 a.m., train 209 departing at 3:15 p.m., and train 215 departing at 5:32 p.m.

Rigorous security screenings at each station are certain to cause delays. Screenings will include several security checks made by law enforcement officers with canine units.

Passengers themselves will have to abide by some restrictions on Sunday and Monday during the Summit. Riders will not be allowed to bring any food, drink or liquids, and they will not be able to carry on board weapons of any kind such as pocket knives or pepper spray. Passengers will also not be allowed to bring bicycles, boxes, or luggage, and may only bring one bag per rider which cannot be larger than 15 inches wide by 15 inches long by 4 inches deep.