commentIndiana has received a $71.4-million grant for high-speed rail under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Overall, the Midwest received $2.6 billion of $8 billion the program distributed nationwide.
“By working across state and party lines, the Midwest showed unified support for this energy-efficient, modern form of transportation,” said Indiana Dept. of Transportation Commissioner Michael W. Reed. “Indiana’s much-needed award will attack the country’s most delay-prone rail corridor.”
More than $244 million was awarded to improve the efficiency and reliability of rail service for the priority route connecting Chicago and Detroit. Northwest Indiana’s $71.4-million allotment will build passing tracks, high-speed crossovers and signal-system improvements for the existing Norfolk Southern rail line between Porter, Ind., and the Illinois state line. A PDF copy of Indiana’s high-speed rail applications are at http://indot.IN.gov/3064.htm.
Nine states are part of an ongoing effort to improve and expand the Midwest’s passenger rail system. The proposed system would provide 80- to 110-mile-per-hour rail service with shorter travel times, more frequent service, and better accessibility and reliability. Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska and Wisconsin are also in the alliance..
Sign in to Comment
To write a comment about this story, please sign in. If this is your first time commenting on this site, you will be required to fill out a brief registration form. Your public username will be the beginning of the email address that you enter into the form (everything before the @ symbol). Other than that, none of the information that you enter will be publically displayed.