The number of misconceptions regarding the proposed extension of commuter rail service to Lowell and Valparaiso is staggering.
Some politicians in northern Lake County, in particular, seem to have forgotten the corollary of President Kennedy's maxim -- Ask not what your region can do for you; rather, ask what you can do for your region.
State Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, and Gary Mayor Rudy Clay are examples of this. They have suggested House Bill 1220 include money for bringing commuter rail service to the Gary/Chicago International Airport.
Bringing rail service to the airport is an excellent idea and one that should be developed and brought to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. The Clark Street station -- which is about 1,000 feet from the main runway but a mile from the terminal -- is already scheduled for an upgrade.
Provide construction estimates and other data so the project can be evaluated carefully. Perhaps it can be funded with sales tax money in the future through the RDA.
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Ind., said he will seek federal money to expedite a necessary study for a spur to the airport.
There is already money in the RDA's plan that matches the timetable of the airport's strategic plan to fund development of a new terminal and other facilities, so include building the spur in that project.
But unlike the South Shore extension plan, there is no study that tells how the spur would be built or what it will cost. That's where Visclosky's help will be valuable. Even so, it will take several years for a study and plans to be complete.
That's why HB 1220 shouldn't be turned into a Christmas tree so cluttered with unwieldy amendments that it collapses.
And understand what that $1 billion cost for the proposed extension of South Shore service entails. That amount covers the construction, where it's necessary, along with rail cars that would use diesel power, which is cheaper, in Northwest Indiana and electric power in the Metra system. Chicago requires electric trains because of the underground portion of the route and to ease pollution.
Of that $1 billion, half is expected to come from the federal government and $150 million from the RDA. The balance would come from diverting a portion of the sales tax collected in the South Shore territory.
The $150 million from the RDA doesn't detract from its other projects, including development at the Gary/Chicago Airport and development along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
These projects were programmed in the RDA's strategic plan from the start. All other projects are fully funded under that plan; the South Shore project is the only project that needs additional funds.
And Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, found a way to get the necessary funds without raising taxes.
That's what makes it so unreasonable for Rogers and Clay to even discuss making it easy for Gary to withdraw from the RDA.
It is because of the RDA the Gary/Chicago airport will get so much money from the entire region to help pay for its expansion.
It is because of the RDA that the entire region is helping Gary implement the Marquette Greenway Plan, which should help Gary attract developers and boost its tax base.
It is because of the RDA that Gary's bus service will connect to the entire region, bringing Gary residents easier access to jobs elsewhere in the region.
Clay is good at creating north vs. south issues. The South Shore project must not become another one.
Rogers has stood strong in the past as a supporter of regional economic development. She needs to re-evaluate her stance on the South Shore expansion.
Perhaps Clay, Rogers and others lose sight of the fact that all taxpayers funded development of the South Shore's northern route and pay to help operate and maintain it. It's only fair to provide other areas an opportunity for rail service and the economic benefit it will bring.
