The Post-Tribune
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky and state Rep. Chester Dobis had little choice other than to amend the initial plan for expanded commuter rail across Northwest Indiana.
It was a good move and shouldn't be viewed as a step backward. Rather than trying to simultaneously launch new commuter rail lines from Lowell and Valparaiso to Chicago, the plan presented a week ago to a legislative study committee puts the Lowell leg first.
The planners had little choice if they wanted to move ahead immediately.
The Federal Transit Administration's New Starts Program, which will fund half of the $1 billion project, has a minimum cost-benefit threshold that projects must meet in order to be considered for funding. Because the line to Valparaiso would require building new rail along an existing right of way, it does not meet the financial threshold.
Dobis said splitting the projects in two would allow the Lowell line to move ahead while the Valparaiso line is altered to meet the cost-benefit minimum.
Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas expressed disappointment that the line to his city will have to wait. But rather than raising a stink about the delay, Costas said he understood that the Lowell line is a priority. That's the kind of regional cooperation the area needs.
While the decision to do the project in two phases will guarantee the federal funding, the question of state and local funding of the other $500,000 remains without resolution. But the sudden emergence of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority, which is seeking a commuter line around Indianapolis, could serve as a welcome ally for NWI commuter rail growth. Imagine Indy and NWI unified on any project. What's that about politics and strange bedfellows?