By Christin Nance, Lazerus Post-Tribune staff writer
On Monday, Visclosky requested an estimated $400,000 to fund a study. He sent a letter to U.S. Rep. John Olver, chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
"The Gary/Chicago International Airport and the expansion of the South Shore Rail Line are two of the greatest economic development projects in the First Congressional District, as well as the entire state of Indiana," Visclosky wrote. "The connection of these two modes of transportation must be made in order to create new jobs and increase economic activity in Northwest Indiana."
The project must conduct a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Alternative Analysis to receive federal funding. Visclosky's funding request would provide nearly 80 percent of the cost; the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District estimated the study's cost at $500,000.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay appreciates Visclosky's action. He wants to add a rail spur from the South Shore to the airport as a condition for Gary kicking in nearly $35 million in Regional Development Authority funds for the larger South Shore extension bill. The $1 billion construction bill is currently in the state Senate.
"In fact, it would be a colossal financial blunder not to attach the engine that is going to make Northwest Indiana go to this South Shore bill, and that's the Gary/Chicago airport," Clay said.
Clay plans to speak to the Senate appropriations committee this morning about the bill.
"We're not coming down here to stop the bill," Clay said.