Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
FORT WAYNE - Imagine arriving in downtown Chicago less than an hour after leaving downtown Warsaw.
Attend a business meeting, have a little lunch, see the sights and arrive home before supper time.
If a study by the Indiana Department of Transportation shows there are enough passengers to support a $20-billion high-speed rail system, such a whirlwind trip could be possible - in 10 years.
For the past few years, INDOT's inter-modal division has considered a link from Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio, with Elkhart and Chicago.
A high-speed passenger rail, traveling a maximum of 110 mph, would parallel current freight lines.
Residents of Fort Wayne expressed their desire to have a line run through Fort Wayne with stops in Warsaw and Gary before going on to Chicago during a public meeting held in the Allen County Library Thursday evening.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins was one of the first of about 20 speakers to promote a route from Toledo to Fort Wayne with a stop in Kosciusko County.
Citing the biomedical and orthopedics industries and other business concerns, Wiggins said Warsaw has a true need for such a transportation system because many people from the county travel to Chicago daily.
Fort Wayne residents spoke in full support of the route and chided INDOT for allowing the old Amtrak lines to falter.
Fort Wayne city councilman Tim Pape said the community is tired of being the stepchild of the state, "even though we're the second largest city in the state."
While Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard did not attend because of the death of his father, economic development director Karen Goldner read a message from Richard expressing the city's desire for the rail.
Company representatives from Parkview Medical Systems, Verizon Communications and Lincoln National Life spoke in favor of a Fort Wayne station as did railroad enthusiasts, Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce members and representatives of the tourism industry and think tank organizations.
INDOT representatives were not prepared for the turnout of more than 250 people.
INDOT representative Mike Scime, formerly a Conrail public affairs manager, said it is important to remember Indiana ranks fifth in the nation for the most railroad crossing accidents.
Safety concerns - miles and miles of fencing for safety concerns - improved crossing warnings and other infrastructure costs would have to be taken into consideration, Scime said.
INDOT rail planner Tom Beck said Congress is considering a plan to provide federal funding through guaranteed bonding authority for Amtrak to sell up to $12 billion in bonds on the private market over a 10-year period.
A preliminary study of the system regarding the feasibility of a Fort Wayne-Warsaw-Gary line is expected in November, INDOT representatives said.
