[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...1b711525383.txt

City will give $10K to study train routes

By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:13 AM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The Redevelopment Commission voted Monday to chip in $10,000 to look into alternative routes for the South Shore Line if the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District can get federal grant money for the study.

The money will help fund a proposed $1 million study of potential realignments of the South Shore Line. NICTD has said the agency and Michigan City would split the $200,000 local portion of the study funding, with the federal government providing the rest.

Even with NICTD and the city agreeing to the local match, there is no guarantee that NICTD will receive any funding from the highly competitive TIGER II grant program. The U.S. Department of Transportation has set aside $600 million to provide grants for transportation projects. A similar $1.5 billion program in 2009 received $60 billion in funding requests, according to the DOT website. With less money available this time around, it could be even harder for grant seekers to win TIGER II funding.

NICTD wants the money to study alternatives to the South Shore Line’s current alignment along 11th Street. Agency spokesman John Parsons has said the study will look into three proposed routes — a northerly route, a new 10th-and-11th Street route or a southerly route — to determine which is most feasible.

Another study of rerouting the South Shore Line failed to materialize after U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly didn’t seek a Congressional earmark for it.

In 2009, the northerly route would have cost more than $200 million and creating the 10th-and-11th Street tracks $65 million, according to NICTD officials quoted in agency board-meeting minutes. The plans to relocate the South Shore Line near the CSX tracks would also cost more than $65 million.

One plan to upgrade the track along the 10th-and-11th street corridor would have required the purchase of more than 100 privately owned buildings and the closing of 17 to 34 at-grade crossings, according to a 2009 Common Council resolution.

A group of railroad watchdogs recently proposed another northerly alignment, which would utilize the path of the former Nickel Plate railway. Parsons has said the study may look into alternative alignments of to the northerly route.

John Pugh, director of the Planning and Redevelopment Department said Monday Oberlie is working on getting the city to commit to help fund the study should NICTD succeed in getting grant funding.

[Ang]

So they're considering cancelling the fire works because they don't have any money, but then they'll fork over 10 grand on ANOTHER study?!?!?!

OMG

[C Hinchman]

That is what we need another survey. Just spend more of the taxpayers money. Does anybody think that the survey won't show the best route is down 11th Street. Does anybody care that it will cripple Michigan City. The 11th Street route makes as much sence as installing a dump site at I-94 and 421. A dump won't have any negative effect upon the residence or the development of the city. That is what they told us back in the 70's and now they will tell us that the 11th Street route won't have any negative effect.

[joe.black]

The best route is the one that maximizes the return on investment - both dollar-wise and in terms of good for the railroad and good for the city.

But there's a balance to be struck amongst all of those, and the northern route (at least the one that's gotten the most play) is just out of the realm of financial possibility.

The southern route is terrible for the railroad, and not very good for redevelopment of the downtown.

The 11th Street route is a good compromise between cost and revitalizing the downtown area, but it's onerous in terms of the properties it has to eliminate.

The new study is necessary because none of the three options has been truly studied from a full systems perspective. Hell, the 11th Street route is virtually brand new. There is an alternate northern route that might deserve to be evaluated as well.

The time is right to move this forward, and to choose the best alternative that maximizes the return on investment.

[lovethiscity]

STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY with all the studys done here you would think, somebody in a leadership position would figure out they are a waste of time and money.

[Ang]

STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY with all the studys done here you would think, somebody in a leadership position would figure out they are a waste of time and money.

Amen!

[Homey]

The leaders should be studied. Wonder what they would find?

[joe.black]

From the looks of it, the purpose of this study is to define the Locally Preferred Alternative, which will be advanced to the required environmental impact statement phase, then on to design, engineering, construction, and commissioning.

The reason that an MIS study (which is what this looks like) is needed is, first of all, government regulations require it. Secondly, though, the alternatives have changed to some extent, and new ones have even been put on the table by people and groups in the community. These have to be considered, even if only to rule them out if a fatal flaw is found.

There is a process to this, right or wrong, that's spelled out by federal funding regulations. If the railroad and city want any shot whatsoever at federal money for this thing (whatever it turns out to be), they have to jump through the appropriate hoops and file the appropriate studies and reports.

Listen, I'm certainly not a fan of the over-regulated way we do business now. But NICTD "can't change City Hall". It has to do what it needs to, to ensure eligibility for federal dollars.

[mcstumper]

Joe,

Do you know the reasons why the southern route was essentially eliminated from contention so early in the process? Was it something to do with having to design a connecting track into the shops?

[joe.black]

Joe,

Do you know the reasons why the southern route was essentially eliminated from contention so early in the process? Was it something to do with having to design a connecting track into the shops?

There are three major strikes against the southern route:

1. The issue that you bring up regarding connecting to the Shops; it would involve a complicated back-up move to access the main line in either direction, and it would have added time to the schedule of trains coming from South Bend (which is 180 degrees opposite of what the railroad is trying to do).

2. The TOD/economic development study done by MCNEAT showed that the downtown will get very little in the way of development from a station located so far south.

3. The right of way is owned and occupied by CSX. NICTD trains would not operate on the CSX track, and there is only room for one more track in the space, so NICTD would be permanently banished to a single track through town, which is yet another 180 degree turn from the way the railroad wants to go, which is double track the entire system.

Those are three off the top of my head - there may have been others as well.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...6d715977052.txt

Present route best for South Shore

Published: Sunday, July 25, 2010 4:12 AM CDT
I do not see our city’s need to spend taxpayer money on another study that concerns the South Shore travel route. The most recent report had concluded the present route was better for Michigan City than either of the other proposals, one on the North End and to the south.

While the South Shore is very important to many, it is also a nuisance to many more.

To those who must encounter the South Shore as they drive near one of Michigan City’s cross streets, the South Shore is a nuisance as they must wait for clear passage to proceed, or as they travel east or west on 11th Street they put up with uncoordinated red lights.

To those who depend on the South Shore, it is a necessity.

Two facts as I am under the impression exist:

1. Michigan City would like a route where tracks through the streets would be eliminated.

2. The South Shore wants to save six minutes travel time to pass through Michigan City.

Either of the proposals for any change is extremely expensive and should not occur.

In earlier years before most people owned an automobile, the main hub was located at the corner of Second Street and Franklin Street as many buses and trains unloaded passengers coming into Michigan City. On the southwest corner there was Mark Mooreman’s Cafe where buses pulled alongside to unload passengers. On the northwest corner was what was called The Comfort Station for people who needed a bathroom after their trip. Three multi-story hotels were also within a stone’s throw for overnight guests who came to Michigan City to enjoy our crystal clear (at that time) lake, the amusement park, the zoo and dancing at the world famous Oasis.

Since all of the glamour days of the North End have changed, why would a new South Shore route be anything but a nuisance to those that would be caught by train traffic?

The south route offers very little, why would a new route there be desirable? Everywhere trains travel, a slight nuisance exists.

In any circumstance, 11th Street should not become a South Shore corridor just to save six minutes, which would have tremendous impact not only on citizens but on fire department response time.

It is time for city leaders to quash immediately any South Shore plans that would change neighborhood lifestyles.

Do our leaders lack vision? Do they lack allegiance to taxpayers? Or will it be more studies and lawsuits?

Ron Stahoviak

Michigan City

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.post-trib.com/news/porter/25515...ant0731.article

South Shore track relocation likely to get another study
Comments

July 31, 2010
BY CHARLES M. BARTHOLOMEW, POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT

DUNE PARK -- The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board unanimously approved a resolution required to apply for a $1 million Transportation Infrastructure Grant for Economic Recovery that will need a $200,000 local match.

NICTD General Manager Gerald Hanas said the grant will pay for yet another study on relocating the South Shore tracks that have run down the middle of 11th Avenue in Michigan City since 1908 to either the north or the south.

Board president Mark Yagelski of LaPorte County said, "Why another study? It's required by law. Things have changed since the study that was done 10 years ago."

"We've been through many versions of this. It's a highly, highly competitive process. That's why I'm not saying what our chances of getting the funds are," said Hanas.

He said the resolution, committing NICTD to putting up $100,000 of the match, was worked out in co-operation with Michigan City officials and is contingent on them putting up the other $100,000.

"We already have got commitments from the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission, and the South Shore freight service," Marketing Director John Parsons said.

Parsons said three already discussed alternatives are being considered:

* Using the Amtrak line on the north side.

* Using the CSX trackage on the south side.

* Keeping the line downtown with the city either vacating the street or NICTD acquiring property along the existing route

"We're going back to review these options in the light of public comments that we've received from the north side-option group," Hanas said.