South Bend Union Station Study Added to Regional Plan

The MACOG Policy Board has officially included a feasibility study for restoring Amtrak rail service at South Bend Union Station.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Remote Work

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a historic rail platform and tunnel, representing regional transit infrastructure planning. — The MACOG Policy Board has officially added a feasibility study for restoring Amtrak rail service at South Bend Union Station to its improvement plan. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The MACOG Policy Board recently added the South Bend Union Station study to its transportation improvement plan. This move marks a formal step toward evaluating the feasibility of restoring passenger rail service at the city-owned facility.

Why it matters

The feasibility study is a required prerequisite for determining the potential restoration of passenger rail service at the historic Union Station. Evaluating structural needs, including tunnel and platform access, is essential for identifying the project requirements.

The planned study is estimated to cost $4.8 million and will span an estimated three to five years to complete. This assessment will focus on the building's structural requirements for passenger rail service.

The players

MACOG Policy Board

This regional planning organization represents the Michiana area and manages transportation improvement plans for the region.

South Bend

The city owns the Union Station building and is leading the planning and development efforts for its future use.

The details

The city, which owns the Union Station building, will launch a competitive selection process to hire a consultant for the work. This consultant will be tasked with performing structural assessments on the station and the tunnel connecting the building to the passenger platform.

Summer 2026: The city received federal funding for planning and development.
Week of October 15, 2026: The MACOG Policy Board added the study to the regional transportation plan.

Market Landscape

This study aligns with a broader national trend of municipalities utilizing federal infrastructure funds to restore legacy rail stations for modern passenger travel. It positions the region to compete for future capital grants as demand for accessible rail transport evolves.

Residents can anticipate a multi-year planning phase that will eventually determine the long-term viability of passenger rail access at the downtown station. While the study is underway, no immediate changes to local transit infrastructure or station access will occur.

The takeaway

Restoring rail service requires rigorous structural evaluation before any construction funding can be allocated. Residents and local stakeholders should monitor upcoming consultant appointments for updates on the project timeline.