Expansion of the South Shore commuter rail service took a step forward when the Indiana House Roads and Transportation Committee voted 10-0 to send HB 1618 forward. This bill, authored by Rep. Hal Slager, would provide $9.4 million in state funding annually for the construction of the West Lake Corridor. It also sets forth additional conditions and review requirements to ensure that the project stays on track and on budget. A second bill concerning the RDA, HB 1398, sponsored by Rep. Ed Soliday, will be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee next week.
Prior to the vote, RDA President and CEO Bill Hanna sat down with nwindianalife.com to discuss the importance of rail expansion to the future of Northwest Indiana. If you haven't seen the interview, check it out here. It's very good stuff.
