U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, has secured $3.65 million for four rail and trail projects in Northwest Indiana in the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

“These investments in Northwest Indiana’s infrastructure will improve public safety, encourage economic growth, and raise our quality of life,” Visclosky said in a statement released on Friday. “Not only will they have a lasting impact on the region, but they will also create near-term construction jobs that will help us get our economy going again. Now is the time to invest in ourselves and these projects will help fuel success in Northwest Indiana.”

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) is slated to receive $2 million for the South Shore Rail Capital Reinvestment Plan. NICTD will use the funding to continue to design and build new centralized traffic control and power distribution systems which will increase operational flexibility and reliability as well as enlarge capacity to meet increases in demand.

“NICTD operates more than 12,800 trains annually carrying more than 4.2 million passengers to high-paying Chicago jobs,” the statement said. “Riders return in excess of $225 million in salaries and wages to Northwest Indiana. To maintain this service, the 75-year-old signal and power distribution systems must be replaced.”

“NICTD could not be more grateful for the Congressman’s steadfast support,” said NICTD General Manager Jerry Hanas. “The funding in the House bill represents service reliability back home and that’s what really matters for our riders.”

Porter County, meanwhile, is slated to receive $500,000 for the Dunes-Kankakee Trail. The Porter County Commissioners will use the funding to construct approaches and crossings for the Dunes-Kankakee Trail near the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Ind. 49.

“This project will be one of the first steps in constructing a valuable north-south link in the existing regional trail system, expanding the recreational opportunities for those residing on or visiting the southern shore of Lake Michigan,” the statement said. “Further, the trail’s connection with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore will allow more visitors to access this national treasure by providing an alternative to the overcrowded parking lots at the site.”

“We’re happy that the Congressman got the money and hopeful that the project goes forward,” Commissioner Bob Harper, D-Center, said.

In addition, Crown Point is scheduled to receive $900,000 for improvements to North Street and Schererville $250,000 to extend Oak Street from Kennedy Ave. to U.S. Highway 41.

The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bills must be approved by the Senate before it can be signed into law by President Obama.

Posted 7/27/2009