Today at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville, supporters of high-speed rail service are meeting to map out a strategy for bringing that service to Indiana.

They are far behind Illinois, which already has a shot at getting its high-speed rail service started to connect Chicago, Springfield and other cities.

But why should that be a surprise? Indiana is so far behind in other forms of transportation as well.

Ironic, isn't it, that the state that brags it is the "Crossroads of America" seems so reluctant to invest in additional transportation capacity.

Sure, the Major Moves package pushed by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has turned the lease of the Indiana Toll Road into a paving spending spree.

And sure, the extension of Interstate 69 from Indianapolis to Evansville is on the table.

But what about Northwest Indiana? This is the most logical part of the state for a major transportation investment, but it will take the region coming together as a whole and stopping the short-sighted thinking that has stymied progress so far.

In 2016, Chicago could be hosting the Olympic Games. We don't know that for sure, of course, but think of the possibilities.

If Chicago's bid for the Olympics is successful, it's a certainty that Northwest Indiana would see hotel guests, if not sporting events. So how would those people be transported?

Even if Chicago is unsuccessful in attracting the Olympics, we know for sure that Lake Michigan is funneling traffic between the East Coast and Chicago to go through Northwest Indiana. That traffic is only going to grow.

We need public transportation like bus lines and the South Shore to take Northwest Indiana folks across the region and to Chicago and back. But don't forget about all the trucks and other traffic just passing through the region, clogging the Borman Expressway and roads not designed for that volume of traffic.

So here's my suggestion:

Indiana celebrates its bicentennial in 2016. What better way to honor the "Crossroads of America" than to start planning now for some major transportation capacity improvements in Northwest Indiana that could be ready by then?

The need is already there. We just have to recognize it for what it is and start preparing to meet it.

Editorial Page Editor Doug Ross can be reached at (219) 548-4360 or (219) 933-3357 or Doug.Ross@nwi.com. The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.