Commuting to Blue Island? (South Bend, Gary: transfer, bus, moving to)

[OTango]

Hello
I've been recently transferred to Blue Island, IL, for work. My boyfriend and I were considering moving to Michigan City, Indiana, as it is approximately halfway between our respective work locations. Does anyone commute into Chicago from Michigan City? What is traffic like from Michigan City to the 57/94 interchange in the mornings and evenings? I appreciate any assistance. Thanks!

[SonySegaTendo617]

Couldn't answer the traffic question for you, since I've never tried driving in that direction along either I-94 or the Indiana Toll Road(I-90, and called the Borman and Kingery Expressway west of there) during morning rush hour.

If you're asking how to get to Blue Island via train, you could get there via the South Shore, but you'd have to connect at 115th/Kensington for a Metra Electric train running on the Blue Island branch. Keep in mind though that service on the Blue Island branch of Metra Electric does not operate on both Sundays, and also major holidays(i.e. Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.):

Metra Electric (ME) Schedule

[OTango]

I have looked at public transportation pretty thoroughly and my boyfriend and I both use the Southshore line frequently. Unfortunately there are only two morning trains that would get me close to where I need to go in the morning, one leaves at 4 am (I think I'll pass) and the other would make me late to work.
Thank you for your response.

[induchman]

Originally Posted by OTango

Hello
I've been recently transferred to Blue Island, IL, for work. My boyfriend and I were considering moving to Michigan City, Indiana, as it is approximately halfway between our respective work locations. Does anyone commute into Chicago from Michigan City? What is traffic like from Michigan City to the 57/94 interchange in the mornings and evenings? I appreciate any assistance. Thanks!

I used to make a similar commute from Gary to BI, when I worked at the Clark Refinery, which wasn't convenient to the train station. Ended up driving it. If you want to stay in Indiana, and make the daily drive, then St. John or Dyer would be a better choice.

[artemis]

Originally Posted by induchman

I used to make a similar commute from Gary to BI, when I worked at the Clark Refinery, which wasn't convenient to the train station. Ended up driving it. If you want to stay in Indiana, and make the daily drive, then St. John or Dyer would be a better choice.

That would put her boyfriend farther away from his job.

[induchman]

Originally Posted by artemis

That would put her boyfriend farther away from his job.

Not if driving - it's 23 miles from St. John and less from Dyer. From Michigan City it's 53 miles.

[svillechris]

Originally Posted by induchman

Not if driving - it's 23 miles from St. John and less from Dyer. From Michigan City it's 53 miles.

Take another look at the original post. They were considering Michigan City because it was about halfway between Blue Island and where her bf would
work, which is probably the South Bend/Mishawaka area. Dyer would be way too far for that. I'd recommend Chesterton, which would be about an hour from each job.

[OTango]

Unfortunately, we decided the drive is going to be too far for me, especially in the winter. 50 minutes from exit to exit and that doesn't account for the distance to and from the highway. *sigh* Thanks for the suggestions guys. You've all been very helpful.

[induchman]

Originally Posted by svillechris

Take another look at the original post. They were considering Michigan City because it was about halfway between Blue Island and where her bf would
work, which is probably the South Bend/Mishawaka area. Dyer would be way too far for that. I'd recommend Chesterton, which would be about an hour from each job.

Obviously, you've never been to Blue Island. Once off the train, there's limited bus service. You need to drive

[OTango]

Actually, there's a Southshore stop east of my office and a bus that runs west right to my office. The issue with the train is more the timing, with about hour and forty five minute train/bus ride I would just barely make it by 8 whereas I go into work at 7am. The other issue is that I'm nervous about walking around the area in the evening and I frequently get out of work at 7 or 7:30.