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A new report labels construction of a new South Shore regional station east of Interstate 65 on U.S. 20 in Gary as the most viable option to increase revenue and decrease travel time for passengers.

The report, commissioned by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and completed by American Structurepoint Inc., concludes a new gateway regional station on U.S. 20 would cost about $37.7 million compared to $51.8 million for renovations at the downtown Gary Metro station and at Miller station at Lake Street.

Those older stations would be closed to make way for the new consolidated gateway station if the NICTD board of directors chooses to move forward with the least-expensive option.

“We’re really waiting for some direction from the board,” said NICTD spokesman John Parsons. “Then, there will be the whole issue of putting the financial package together to fund.”

NICTD doesn’t own the proposed gateway land on U.S. 20, Parsons said. The site would encompass about four acres.

Parsons said the big bonus for NICTD would be building high-level boarding platforms at the floor level of the car like stations in Hammond and East Chicago have. Parsons said the high-level platforms can decrease boarding time from about two minutes to 45 seconds.

The report stated a new gateway station would attract 730 more riders daily. Upgrades to the Miller and Gary Metro stations would result in 577 more daily riders.

“What this report provided us that we didn’t have before was the impact consolidation would have on time, particularly for folks who board east of Gary,” Parsons said. “Our ridership tends to be sensitive to travel times.”

Parsons said combining stations would lead to lower operating costs, better security and more amenities for commuters.

Lakes of the Four Seasons resident Jon Dixon, a commuter who boards every day in Miller, said a new Gateway station would shorten his drive, since he could exit at Interstate 65.

“It takes me 30 minutes now to get here,” he said.

Crown Point commuter Paula Fela said she also could support the move, if it would save time on her commute.

But, there’s lingering opposition in Gary.

Mayor Rudy Clay said he hadn’t seen the American Structurepoint report, but would oppose closing the Gary Metro station.

“I think it would enhance the downtown area and Genesis Center,” Clay said. “I’d like to see them keep that one open.”

Eric E. Reaves, president of the Miller Citizens Corp., said closing the Miller stop would hurt businesses along Lake Street. He didn’t oppose the option that moves it westward, closer to Clay Street.

“We’ve always held the position that we’re vehemently opposed to moving the station to I-65 and U.S. 20,” Reaves said. “We don’t benefit by gaining five minutes by having only to stop at one station in Gary.”

Reaves said a Miller arts and creative district along Lake Street recently was established, and the train stop allows visitors to enter the business district directly. He said his group planned to launch an advertising campaign to encourage visitors to take the train to Miller’s arts district.

“We’re trying to accentuate the positive in Gary,” he said.