Press release from INDOT:
Indiana Receives $71.4 million in High-Speed Rail Funds
Grant to Address Country’s Most Delay-Prone Intercity Passenger Rail Line(GARY, Ind. – January 28, 2010) Indiana today received a $71.4 million grant for High-Speed Rail under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Midwest received $2.6 billion of the $8 billion distributed nationwide under this program.
“By working across state and party lines, the Midwest showed unified support for this energy efficient, modern form of transportation,” said Indiana Department 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 portion of $71.4 million will build passing tracks, high-speed crossovers and signal system improvements for the existing Norfolk Southern rail line between Porter and the Illinois state line. A PDF copy of Indiana’s High-Speed Rail applications can be found online.
Nine states are part of an ongoing effort to develop and expand access to an improved passenger rail system in the Midwest. This proposed system would provide 80 to 110 mile per hour rail service with shorter travel times, increased frequency of service, accessibility and reliability. Other participating states are Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
In addition to High-Speed Rail grants, the Recovery Act also provides $1.5 billion in transportation funds nationwide known as Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER). Indiana has submitted eight competitive applications, and awards should be announced by February 17.
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