Even before an intermodal facility is formally proposed in LaPorte County, opponents are already becoming vocal.
It is a curious development.
Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Tollroad, the people who fought the Illiana Expressway proposal, are among those fighting the plan for an intermodal facility. Their rationale is that if an intermodal facility is built, the Illiana proposal will be given necessarily follow.
An Illiana Expressway would certainly help if an intermodal facility is built, but it isn't absolutely necessary.
In any case, it's too early to oppose the intermodal facility before any facts are known.
There are many suppositions, including that it would bring 5,000 to 10,000 permanent full-time jobs, paying an average wage of around $40,000.
Even at 2,000 jobs, that would be more than the biggest employer in LaPorte County.
No one has suggested the use of eminent domain to acquire land for the site. It's not a case of the government seizing land so industry can use it.
There are many potential benefits. What those benefits are can't be explained in detail yet, because there isn't a formal plan in place yet.
Even as proponents of an intermodal facility are blasted by critics, they have no ammunition to use in response because everything is so vague.
Opposition to new transportation ideas -- and the many high-paying jobs the intermodal facility would bring -- is misguided.
The opponents should wait until the plan is outlined before weighing the pros and cons and reaching a reasonable conclusion.
Until then, they are operating strictly on hysterics, not facts.
Your opinion, please
Are you opposed to the construction of an intermodal facility in LaPorte County?
