Replies

[Marram]

Speaking of polls, here's one dealing with something besides our schools. There has been a lot of talk for many years about this subject. But just lately State Rep. Pelath and our own resident Sox fan had a bit of a conversation about allocating money to move the old South Shore line (somewhere).

[mcstumper]

I definitely lean toward moving the tracks south. First off, if would make the train more accessible to more residents of greater Michigan City. Somehow we seem to be losing sight of the fact that the SS is for all of us, not just Elston Grove residents. Moving the tracks south means more available parking and an elevated boarding platform that would make it easier for the handicapped and elderly to board. This is something that would be impossible to do at the 11th Street station. Secondly, fewer grade crossings means a reduction in the probability of traffic accidents on the line. Finally, we are all looking at the upfront cost of this move without looking at the overall return on investment. This would include the net present value of the savings on future maintenance expenses along with a monetary benefit assigned to every minute saved by every commuter every day that they ride. I don't know about you, but I value my time.

[Southsider2k12]

I definitely lean toward moving the tracks south. First off, if would make the train more accessible to more residents of greater Michigan City. Somehow we seem to be losing sight of the fact that the SS is for all of us, not just Elston Grove residents. Moving the tracks south means more available parking and an elevated boarding platform that would make it easier for the handicapped and elderly to board. This is something that would be impossible to do at the 11th Street station. Secondly, fewer grade crossings means a reduction in the probability of traffic accidents on the line. Finally, we are all looking at the upfront cost of this move without looking at the overall return on investment. This would include the net present value of the savings on future maintenance expenses along with a monetary benefit assigned to every minute saved by every commuter every day that they ride. I don't know about you, but I value my time.

If parking was your main concern, and they really wanted to invest the kind of money they are talking about in the system, it wouldn't take too much of it to use emminent domain and buy the few houses behind the parking lot. Then you build a parking garage. Parking problem solved. Public usage, and public benefit are clear.

The time issue is moot for me, as I demonstrated earlier, because there isn't that much time to be saved. I have never took the ride all of the way to South Bend, but there just isn't going to be nearly as much time as they are talking about saved by a re-route in MC, unless it was to completely south of I-94, and all crossings were limited access. As long as you are going to go through the City of Michigan City somewhere, you are going to cross a bunch of streets and neighborhoods, which means noise restrictions, which means speed restrictions, just like they have on 11th St. So instead of going 25 mph on 11th st, they are going 30 mph elsewhere. Big deal. They spend 8-9 figures worth of money to save 5 minutes. Yeah, that is not worth it to me, and I ride the train 5 days a week. I value my time, but I also value my tax dollars.

[mcstumper]

I value my time, but I also value my tax dollars.

The pols are going to spend that money whether it is here or in Valpo. As for the emminent domain, if we use the Weber's math it will only cost us $3 trillion dollars to acquire the Moose Lodge...

[Southsider2k12]

The pols are going to spend that money whether it is here or in Valpo. As for the emminent domain, if we use the Weber's math it will only cost us $3 trillion dollars to acquire the Moose Lodge...

Don't get me and my economics background started on the inefficiencies of government... you don't want to be here all day