U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., has secured more than $24.3 million in earmarks for Northwest Indiana, including more than $5 million for South Shore commuter rail improvements, his office reported Thursday.

Chief among the South Shore rail projects will be a $237,500 feasibility study of connecting the South Shore line with a new terminal proposed for Gary/Chicago International Airport.

"I want to thank and congratulate the congressman for his continued support and vision to know that the airport is the engine that will make Northwest Indiana turn," Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said.

Taking a look at building a commuter rail spur to the Gary airport was a key demand of Clay during last year's debate over funding a South Shore extension to Lowell and Valparaiso.

The South Shore will get $5 million for its signal modernization project, which increases safety and helps trains run on time.

"This funding could not have come at a more critical time for our project," said South Shore General Manager Gerald Hanas. "We are excited to move ahead on the portion between Michigan City and Gary."

The earmarks for area projects are contained in the $410 billion fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which the U.S. House passed Wednesday.

A number of other transportation projects are funded by the earmarks Visclosky secured, including $475,000 for bike and pedestrian trails in Whiting and $1.45 million for dredging Burns Waterway.

Visclosky also secured millions of dollars for environmental projects, including $11.37 million for environmental cleanup of Indiana Harbor.