CROWN POINT | Northwest Indiana Forum Executive Director Vince Galbiati gestured to the map of the Chicago metro area, pointing out the blue commuter rail lines spidering out from Chicago to its Illinois suburbs.
On the other side, a single solid orange line swooped from South Bend, across northern Indiana and into the Chicago area.
"It's pretty lowly," Galbiati told the Crown Point City Council on Monday night, pointing to the South Shore line.
For years, officials in the region have urged the extension of the South Shore line to Lowell and Valparaiso. They argue it will ease congestion and boost economic growth in Northwest Indiana.
Now, the Northwest Indiana Forum, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and other local civic, business and community organizations have banded to form Chicago South Shore Connections.
The regional initiative pushes for the timely expansion of the South Shore line.
"It's about time for better jobs," Galbiati said. "It's about time for higher wages. It's about time to be more environmentally friendly. It's about time for a better connection to Chicago."
Galbiati said U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., is working to leverage federal funds to help pay for the estimated billion-dollar expansion project.
The South Shore line is the third fastest-growing commuter rail line in the United States, according to the American Public Transportation Association, Galbiati said.
He said additional rail lines ending in Lowell and Valparaiso would release congestion on the current rail line. It also would allow easier access to Chicago, more jobs, higher wages, mobility and growth.
Crown Point was the first community presented with the Chicago South Shore Connections initiative.
Galbiati asked the city to approve a resolution supporting the rail lines and pledge funds to help market the idea. He said he will be making presentations to other local entities over the next two months.
"We have everything to gain and nothing to lose from this," Crown Point Mayor Dan Klein said.
Crown Point City Councilman Bob Corbin said the city also should look at offering redevelopment funds to help market the need to start acting now on the South Shore line expansion.
"The stars are lined up now, and they're not always going to stay in this configuration," he said.
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