(Image provided, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority)
The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) says it is launching a regional initiative to advance the designation of U.S. 12 as a scenic byway along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The initiative was identified by the RDA’s 2025 comprehensive strategic plan as an important opportunity to strengthen tourism, enhance access to the Lake Michigan shoreline, and support economic development across Northwest Indiana, a news release said.
“The redesignation of what was a national lakeshore to a national park, along with the increased access offered by the finished double track project, have turned some existing opportunities into low-hanging fruit when it comes to making our shoreline into a premiere attraction,” said Sherri Ziller, RDA President and CEO. “We want do everything we can to encourage visitors to not just enjoy our trails and beaches and dunes, but to spend money in our shoreline communities while they are here.”
In parallel with the scenic byway project, the RDA says it will work with the municipalities along the shoreline to improve and augment iconic entrances to the National and State Parks in the Region. More details about the scenic byway initiative and the 2025 update to the RDA’s comprehensive strategic plan can be found at https://www.nwitdd.com/rda-strategic-plan .
