http://www.post-trib.com/news/170425,rda.article
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Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce President Rex Richards told the Regional Development Authority that the business community still supports a Valparaiso to Chicago commuter line.
"We voted unanimously to support train service from Valpo to Chicago," he said.
» Click to enlarge image
In September, Gov. Mitch Daniels announced the check distribution for the Major Moves program in front of the courthouse in Valparaiso. Officials representing Porter County were on hand to get their share of the pot.
LESLIE ADKINS/Post-Trinbune
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After an evening meeting at Valparaiso University, RDA Chairman John Clark said Gov. Mitch Daniels and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky met in November to discuss the line. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has estimated the line may cost upwards of $900 million and population estimates have given the line a low priority for federal funding. But NICTD has commissioned new population estimates and Visclosky's office is still holding out hope for a lower cost.
"We're still pursuing the line," Clark said.
He was less optimistic about plans raised by Porter County council members and Commissioner Bob Harper to ask the RDA to fund an extension of Willowcreek Road to U.S. 30 in Porter County.
With the RDA's limited funds, board members have taken a position that they do not want to fund projects that would normally be funded by the Indiana Department of Transportation, Clark said.
"We would be predisposed to stay out of it," Clark said.
The RDA board did give tentative approval to spend $17 million to fund a portion of 14 new rail cars for the existing South Shore. A final vote on the contract is expected at the January meeting. New cars would be available from Japan in 18 months to two years, said NICTD President Gerald Hanas.
Board member Gus Olympidus asked if they had exhausted all the possibilities of state funding. Hanas said they hadn't but bids for the cars would expire well before the end of the next General Assembly. The Illinois commuter service, METRA is on the verge of ordering 160 cars, which could push the South Shore's order back another three years, if they wait.
After over an hour of discussion, the board also approved a tentative contract with Gary/Chicago International Airport, which would set up a process to allow the airport to spend the $20 million in state funds earmarked for the airport in Major Moves.
"We voted unanimously to support train service from Valpo to Chicago," he said.
» Click to enlarge image
In September, Gov. Mitch Daniels announced the check distribution for the Major Moves program in front of the courthouse in Valparaiso. Officials representing Porter County were on hand to get their share of the pot.
LESLIE ADKINS/Post-Trinbune
RELATED STORIES
• Illiana tollway study first step toward reality
• Long, winding west-east trek without Illiana
• Hoosier-craft Lake Michigan vehicle could travel from Gary to Chicago in 15 minutes
After an evening meeting at Valparaiso University, RDA Chairman John Clark said Gov. Mitch Daniels and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky met in November to discuss the line. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has estimated the line may cost upwards of $900 million and population estimates have given the line a low priority for federal funding. But NICTD has commissioned new population estimates and Visclosky's office is still holding out hope for a lower cost.
"We're still pursuing the line," Clark said.
He was less optimistic about plans raised by Porter County council members and Commissioner Bob Harper to ask the RDA to fund an extension of Willowcreek Road to U.S. 30 in Porter County.
With the RDA's limited funds, board members have taken a position that they do not want to fund projects that would normally be funded by the Indiana Department of Transportation, Clark said.
"We would be predisposed to stay out of it," Clark said.
The RDA board did give tentative approval to spend $17 million to fund a portion of 14 new rail cars for the existing South Shore. A final vote on the contract is expected at the January meeting. New cars would be available from Japan in 18 months to two years, said NICTD President Gerald Hanas.
Board member Gus Olympidus asked if they had exhausted all the possibilities of state funding. Hanas said they hadn't but bids for the cars would expire well before the end of the next General Assembly. The Illinois commuter service, METRA is on the verge of ordering 160 cars, which could push the South Shore's order back another three years, if they wait.
After over an hour of discussion, the board also approved a tentative contract with Gary/Chicago International Airport, which would set up a process to allow the airport to spend the $20 million in state funds earmarked for the airport in Major Moves.
