The extension of commuter rail service to Lowell and Valparaiso holds great promise for Northwest Indiana. This is especially true for communities like Cedar Lake, whose residents would gain rapid access to Chicago.
What was the Cedar Lake Town Council thinking by not embracing this proposal last week? What community could benefit more?
Consider these facts:
* Downtown Chicago has 150,000 more jobs within a half-mile of the Millennium Park Station than in all of Lake and Porter counties combined.
* On average, Cook County jobs pay 39 percent more than jobs in Northwest Indiana. Only in manufacturing do jobs in Northwest Indiana pay more than in Cook County.
* Where railroads locate, new businesses and emerging industries tend to follow. Thus, the trains not only send workers to Chicago but eventually would bring new job opportunities to Northwest Indiana.
* Housing values tend to increase near train stations, a fact that is driving transit-oriented development proposals throughout the region, including in Cedar Lake.
* South Shore passenger cars are at capacity with most rush hour trains.
* Commuter rail lines ease traffic congestion.
* Passenger trains serve not only commuters but others interested in enjoying the cultural, entertainment and sporting events Chicago offers.
The evidence in support of expanding commuter rail service goes on and on.
Cedar Lake residents would greatly benefit from this new economic lifeline to Chicago.
Yes, the expansion comes with a cost. Northwest Indiana would have to come up with an estimated $350 million to pay for it.
But the potential return on that investment is so large that it's hard to imagine Cedar Lake not endorsing the proposal.
The Town Council should rethink its decision. Think of what's good for the region and what's good for the town. The answer is extending the commuter rail service.
Your opinion, please
Was the Cedar Lake Town Council right to oppose extending commuter rail service?
