For Lafayette passengers much rides on Indiana's high-speed rail grant

By Curt Slyder, Journal & Courier

cslyder@jconline.com

Friends Mickey Dickinson of Lafayette and Jenn Hockema of West Lafayette sat in the Amtrak station at Riehle Plaza on Friday morning, waiting for the daily train that runs from Indianapolis to Chicago.

It was more than an hour late, delayed by freight trains along the corridor.

It was one day after President Barack Obama announced Indiana would receive $71.4 million in stimulus funds to help develop high-speed rail in northwestern Indiana.

But all that money will be used to upgrade tracks, crossovers and signals along the Indiana portion of the busy Detroit to Chicago rail corridor. The corridor from Indianapolis to Chicago is not included.