Young, Donnelly, Visclosky Urge Support for South Shore West Lake Expansion Project
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), and Congressman Pete Visclosky (IN-D-01) announced they wrote a letter to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in support of Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District’s (NICTD) South Shore West Lake expansion project. The letter was submitted along with the request from NICTD to the FTA to enter into the New Starts Engineering phase of the Capital Investment Grant program.
The letter highlights their support for the project, which demonstrates how support from local communities and federal transportation infrastructure programs can maximize the return of private sector economic investments from taxpayer dollars. It also asks that the submitted request be considered as expeditiously as possible.
“The South Shore West Lake expansion project is important for both jobs and infrastructure development in Northwest Indiana,” said Senator Young. “I am delighted this project progressed to this critical juncture in FTA’s review process and look forward to continuing my steadfast advocacy for this crucial transit project alongside Governor Holcomb, Representative Visclosky, Senator Donnelly, the RDA, and NICTD.”
Senator Donnelly said, “The South Shore West Lake expansion will be a great improvement for the region’s infrastructure, creating new transportation options for residents and supporting continued economic growth. I was proud to join my colleagues Senator Young and Representative Visclosky, as well as Governor Holcomb, NICTD, and RDA on this effort. It is important the Federal Transit Administration follows the requirements Congress has established for this program and reviews this application in a timely manner so we can get this important project moving forward.”
Congressman Pete Visclosky stated, “This is the next step in the journey of creating new jobs and economic activity in Northwest Indiana. We would not be able to do this without the steadfast support of NICTD, the RDA, Governor Holcomb, Sen. Donnelly, Sen. Young, the members of our state delegation, and our participating local officials. I am grateful for all of their leadership and believe that because of our bipartisan and collective efforts, we are paving the way for future transit and private investments in our region.”
The full text of the letter is available below and here.
Dear Administrator Williams,
We write today to express our continued support for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) proposed West Lake Corridor Project.
We thank you and your dedicated staff for the leadership and direction provided to NICTD as they worked to produce an application that satisfies the agency’s financial and technical requirements.
It is our understanding that the application demonstrates the project’s forecasted economic impact as well as its financial capacity, including the requirement that one hundred percent of the nonfederal funding is dedicated with no further action needed by local and state entities. We remain confident that this project will serve our nation as a model to show how support from local communities and federal transportation infrastructure programs can maximize the return of private sector economic investments from taxpayer dollars.
We ask that the submitted request be considered as expeditiously as possible, per the direction prescribed under applicable laws and regulations, and that the rating be swiftly determined in order to allow the project to progress from the Capital Investment Grant program’s Project Development Phase and into the Engineering Phase.
Again, thank you for your commitment to assisting Hoosier stakeholders successfully interface with the Capital Investment Grant program. If we may be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.