CHESTERTON, Ind. (AP) — The operators of northern Indiana's commuter railroad are eying a plan to extend the main line from Hammond to the city of Dyer.
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
spokesman John Parsons says the proposed eight-mile-long extension has strong
support from the mayors and town managers along the northern U.S. 41 corridor.
The Times of Munster reports that seven trains per
day would carry 4,510 passengers per week into Chicago along the proposed
Dyer-to-Hammond route.
Officials say previous plans to extend the South
Shore to Lowell and Valparaiso would have to wait for completion of the Dyer
branch.
Once fares are deducted from the new line's
operating costs, the district would need about $26.1 million a year to pay for
operations and debt service on construction bonds.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
