A section of U.S. 12 in Gary’s Miller section will be closed Thursday so the state highway department can shift that highway’s route.

The highway project is related to, but separate from, the South Shore Line’s Double Track project to build a second set of tracks between Gary and Michigan City. A new Miller station will be part of that project.

To allow room for the new Miller station’s high-level boarding platform, the Indiana Department of Transportation will close U.S. 12 between Old Hobart Road and the current U.S. 12 junction with U.S. 20.

A new section of road will be built east of Lake Street to connect U.S. 12 with U.S. 20. It is expected to open in late September, INDOT says.

In the meantime, the highway department says, motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 20 and Indiana 249. A new traffic signal will be installed at the new U.S. 12 junction with U.S. 20, and the drainage and storm sewer system in the area will be improved.

Traffic signals at the current U.S. 12/20 junction and U.S. 12 intersections with Clay Street and Lake Street will be removed when that section of U.S. 12 is closed.

INDOT also announced that U.S. 12/20 between Alabama Street and Interstate 65 will be closed for a week, beginning June 14.

That closure will allow a freight railroad, the CSS-SB, to rebuild a railroad crossing just east of Alabama Street.

Some Miller-area preparation work for the Double Track project, such as relocating electric lines and demolishing some buildings, is underway or may begin soon.

However, the main Double Track construction contract has been delayed because the initial bids opened in May were 75% higher than estimated.

The railroad is working on revisions and plans to re-advertise for new bids in late June or early July.

Hasse Construction Co. of Calumet City, Illinois, won a $4.1 million contract in May to build the new Miller station. However, Hasse won’t get a notice to proceed with construction until the main Double Track contract is awarded, South Shore Line President Michael Noland said.

Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.