CHESTERTON -- The brakes have been applied to the South Shore's plans for purchasing double-decker passenger cars but the project has not been derailed.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore rail line, had requested $31.2 million from the Indiana Department of Transportation to help pay for 12 new passenger cars. The grant have would come from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds that INDOT receives annually from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
INDOT will not be able to fund the full request, however, because the state receives just $22 million annually in CMAQ money which is spread to projects around the entire state, said Gary Abell, INDOT deputy commissioner.
"We understand there is a need," Abell said.
The South Shore estimates the cost of the new cars is about $40 million.
While the rail line can submit an application and possibly receive a portion of the CMAQ funds, the state recommended the South Shore seek other sources.
Specifically, INDOT suggested the commuter rail line approach the four counties it serves (St. Joseph, LaPorte, Porter and Lake) for Major Moves money. Major Moves is the state's transportation plan funded by leasing the Indiana Toll Road to private operators.
The South Shore already has a request in to the Northwest Regional Development Authority for $7.8 million and may place a request with the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission, said John Parsons, spokesman for the rail line.
"We're pursuing all options right now," said Parsons. "We're still moving ahead with this. We're going to pursue every available option."
David Neizgodski, chairman of Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and former St. Joseph County Commissioner, was skeptical the counties would allot Major Moves resources to a rail service. Stressing that he is only making an educated guess, Neizgodski said the counties may plan to use the influx of money for road construction rather than supporting the South Shore.
"I think it might be very difficult," Neizgodski said. "It would be a difficult sell."
Still, parking the car and hopping the train to Chicago is not a difficult sell to passengers. Parsons said the primary reason for the growth in passengers is rising gasoline prices rather than the extensive construction project on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
The new rail cars are needed now but, Parsons said, NICTD will have to wait 18 months for the cars to be delivered once the money to buy them is secured.