Local Group Takes Look At High-Speed Rail Through Warsaw
October 25, 2018 at 5:01 p.m.
Local Group Takes Look At High-Speed Rail Through Warsaw
By Dan [email protected]
Representatives of Northern Indiana Passenger Rail, an advocacy group that supports the concept, suggested that if federal and state funding comes together, the rail system could begin service in about 12 years.
What that means for Warsaw residents would be an opportunity to get to Chicago in less than an hour and 20 minutes with a train moving at 110 mph.
NIPR’s meeting in Warsaw Wednesday night was one of a series of meetings in Indiana along the rail line and is one of many steps needed to secure federal funding for construction.
The passenger rail would operate on existing tracks and share the tracks with freight trains.
But various upgrades would be needed and capital costs could reach more than $1 billion, according to figures presented at the meeting.
Other potential stops in Indiana could include Plymouth and Valparaiso.
Organizers in Indiana who are behind the plan are enthusiastic because of potential demand and existing infrastructure.
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The path from Lima, Ohio, to Gary is a straight shot. Tracks in Indiana tend to be very flat and built for heavy use, officials said.
“The reason it’s so attractive is because it’s very straight. It has very few curves. That means the train does not have to slow down very often so it can maintain top speed,” said Caron Kloser, project manager for HNTB Corp., which has been working on a study for nearly two years.
“Also, (there is) very low freight traffic compared to other train corridors in the area. That means there are less conflicts that we have to account for,” Kloser said.
The circumstances present a “perfect storm” opportunity, said Richard Juram, board president for NIPR.
“There’s a great need for it because the highway system is so congested and so unreliable,” Juram said.
Officials also presented estimates on what the demand for the passenger rail could reach.
According to statistics unveiled at the meeting, two round trips across the entire route at 79 mph would attract 387,000 passengers; four round trips at that speed would attract 571,000 passengers. Six round trips would generate about 677,000 passengers.
Faster trains would likely attract even more demand, officials said.
Four round trips at 110 mph would attract 765,000 passengers. Six round trips at the higher speed could attract 917,000 passengers, according to statistics provided at the meeting.
Much of construction costs would come from federal government, with a required match coming from states, local government and businesses, Juram said.
Officials believe Warsaw could be a popular stop because of the local industry, namely orthopedics.
Kosciusko County already has shown its support for preliminary planning.
Preliminary work that was showcased Wednesday is in part the result of local funding by numerous communities.
Five years ago, $70,000 was contributed from Warsaw, Kosciusko County, OrthoWorx and other entities to the project, according to Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.
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Representatives of Northern Indiana Passenger Rail, an advocacy group that supports the concept, suggested that if federal and state funding comes together, the rail system could begin service in about 12 years.
What that means for Warsaw residents would be an opportunity to get to Chicago in less than an hour and 20 minutes with a train moving at 110 mph.
NIPR’s meeting in Warsaw Wednesday night was one of a series of meetings in Indiana along the rail line and is one of many steps needed to secure federal funding for construction.
The passenger rail would operate on existing tracks and share the tracks with freight trains.
But various upgrades would be needed and capital costs could reach more than $1 billion, according to figures presented at the meeting.
Other potential stops in Indiana could include Plymouth and Valparaiso.
Organizers in Indiana who are behind the plan are enthusiastic because of potential demand and existing infrastructure.
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The path from Lima, Ohio, to Gary is a straight shot. Tracks in Indiana tend to be very flat and built for heavy use, officials said.
“The reason it’s so attractive is because it’s very straight. It has very few curves. That means the train does not have to slow down very often so it can maintain top speed,” said Caron Kloser, project manager for HNTB Corp., which has been working on a study for nearly two years.
“Also, (there is) very low freight traffic compared to other train corridors in the area. That means there are less conflicts that we have to account for,” Kloser said.
The circumstances present a “perfect storm” opportunity, said Richard Juram, board president for NIPR.
“There’s a great need for it because the highway system is so congested and so unreliable,” Juram said.
Officials also presented estimates on what the demand for the passenger rail could reach.
According to statistics unveiled at the meeting, two round trips across the entire route at 79 mph would attract 387,000 passengers; four round trips at that speed would attract 571,000 passengers. Six round trips would generate about 677,000 passengers.
Faster trains would likely attract even more demand, officials said.
Four round trips at 110 mph would attract 765,000 passengers. Six round trips at the higher speed could attract 917,000 passengers, according to statistics provided at the meeting.
Much of construction costs would come from federal government, with a required match coming from states, local government and businesses, Juram said.
Officials believe Warsaw could be a popular stop because of the local industry, namely orthopedics.
Kosciusko County already has shown its support for preliminary planning.
Preliminary work that was showcased Wednesday is in part the result of local funding by numerous communities.
Five years ago, $70,000 was contributed from Warsaw, Kosciusko County, OrthoWorx and other entities to the project, according to Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.
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