[Southsider2k12]

http://www.azstarnet.com/news/166536

Indiana
Cameras to watch South Shore line
MICHIGAN CITY — South Shore commuter-line dispatchers will soon be able to monitor platforms, stations and parking lots with 130 security cameras along the 75-mile route from South Bend to the Illinois state line.
The cameras will be operating by March, said John Parsons, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District spokesman. All stations will have at least one camera on the platform, he said.
The cameras will be used for security, to monitor weather conditions and to watch for heavy volumes of passengers, he said.
The camera system was funded by an $890,000 grant from the National Transportation Safety Administration.

Also along the South Shore theme, some projects might be getting delayed because of a cut in funding...

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20.../27/news/n3.txt

NICTD faces a crunch

By Amanda Haverstick, The News-Dispatch

CHESTERTON - Going into 2007, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has its work order ready, but may face a funding crunch.

NICTD's Board of Commissioners on Friday granted approval of the railroad's 2007 business plan, but noted that funding may be drastically different than in prior years and could delay some projects.

Congress's 2007 Continuing Resolution, said NICTD General Manager Gerald Hanas, will cap funding at 2006 levels and eliminate earmarks.

“Because of the election, there was no appropriation bill passed,” Hanas said. “Now that Congress has reconvened, they're considering a Continuing Resolution and then simply concentrating on the 2008 appropriations.”

Most transit funding - 80 percent - comes from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Hanas said the remaining 20 percent comes from the General Fund.

Because of the situation in Congress, Hanas said NICTD faces 5 percent cuts in the 2007 formula for capital and maintenance funds.

Hanas, however, said the real interest is in the future of earmarks, which are inserted into funding bills for specific projects.

“The current Congress is spending earmarks from the current fiscal year. That will have some impacts,” Hanas said. “They've been painted as frivolous types of things, but the bulk of the earmarks are for very stable infrastructure projects, particularly highways and transit.”

A $5 million earmark for NICTD's catenary project (the overhead electrical power supply) would be eliminated, because it cuts about one-third of funding for the second phase of the project.

“It would be a dramatic hit to us, but would also be a huge hit across the country,” Hanas said. “It's a stunning kind of decision if it comes to reality. It will probably cause some delay in some of our projects.”

For 2007, Hanas said NICTD is not planning any change in service levels. He added there will be a 2 percent fare increase later in the year.

NICTD will continue cyclical heavy cleaning of cars, performed by a vendor. The installation of closed circuit cameras at stations, platforms and parking lots will also be completed this year.

July is the estimated completion date for Phase 2 of the signal system from Gary to Michigan City. NICTD is also working on completing the design and build of the Phase 1 overhead power distribution system from Kensington to Gary.

On NICTD's wish list for 2007 is starting the acquisition of 14 bi-level cars.

The Hi-Liner EMU (electrical multiple unit) cars will be designed as married pairs, leaving cab controls at only one end of each car. Walk-over seating will enable passengers to adjust the seat back to face in either direction.

NICTD received a single bid from Sumitomo Corp. of America of $54,600,000, and an alternate bid of $49,980,000.

“We have not reached a final price with them, just yet,” Hanas said. “We're still negotiating with them.”

To help with the project, NICTD received a $17.5 million grant contract with the Regional Development Authority.

“Beyond the $17.5 million, we're going to have finance something close to $32 million to make this work,” Hanas said. “We have proposals from five major financing arms of banks. The rates look attractive (and) the terms look very doable for us.”

Contact reporter Amanda Haverstick at ahaverstick@thenewsdispatch.com.