New Metra South East Line - To Help Northwest Indiana? (Hammond: place to live, costs)

[svillechris]

Forgive me if I'm late to the party on this, but I personally just read about the likely SouthEast Service line that Metra plans to start soon. I feel like if this does happen, it could be very beneficial for NWI as many more people who work in Chicago may see the proximity of this line to NWI and view it as a viable place to live.

There would be stops in Crete, Glenwood, and South Holland. Just think, from St. John to Crete would be about 15 mins, whereas from St. John to the closest South Shore is probably about 30. From Dyer to Glenwood is 10-12 mins instead of 20-25 to the closest South Shore stop. From Munster to South Holland is also very quick, 10-12 mins compared to the 15 or so to Hammond.

Another BIG difference and benefit to some may be the fact that this line will run to the LaSalle Station. The reason this is important is because this location is centralized for basically anyone working in the loop. The Randolph station (where the South Shore and the Metra Electic drop off at) is not since it's very far east. This forces those working in the center or west side of the loop to have a long walk to their office. In some cases, this may save a good 15 mins on a one-way commute.

I'm not sure exactly of the rails that they would be using, but it would be fantastic if this line also offered express trains. If the South Shore does not follow through with its plans to create the West Lake Corridor, I forsee this Metra expansion as potentially a very good thing for Northwest Indiana.

Metra Connects : Proposed New Starts

[domergurl]

I don't understand ... why do they want to run a line that is pretty much parallel to the ME line???? Why can't this state embrace bringing a train into the southern portion of the region??? ugh!!!! What's next ... a metra line that runs just enough on the state border that it doesn't creep into Indiana?

[tb4000]

If it costs anymore than 4.85 for a ride, they won't be running anytime soon.

[Northwest Indiana]

Personally, I would rather the West Lake Corridor (WLC) be built than the Metra SouthEast. The SouthEast service would be nice, but in terms of benifitting NWI, it would provide as much benefits as having the WLC. The WLC will enhance each town it runs through by encouraging less sprawled development (think - dense town center surrounding train station) and more redeveloped of established areas. When you look at the most desirable (and usually affluent) towns in Illinois and the northeast, they all have direct access to train service. I feel the WLC will be better. However, I am not necessarily against the Metra SE service.

[plainsman48]

Originally Posted by domergurl

I don't understand ... why do they want to run a line that is pretty much parallel to the ME line???? Why can't this state embrace bringing a train into the southern portion of the region??? ugh!!!! What's next ... a metra line that runs just enough on the state border that it doesn't creep into Indiana?

Probably because there's no viable rail line going straight south from Hammond?

Existing tracks are few and far between except around Griffith

[Chuckity]

I always questioned the wisdom of tearing up those miles of tracks that ran through Schererville for the creation of a bike path. It just seemed insane to me because it was the perfect route for a commuter line.

But what the hell do I know.

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by Chuckity

I always questioned the wisdom of tearing up those miles of tracks that ran through Schererville for the creation of a bike path. It just seemed insane to me because it was the perfect route for a commuter line.

But what the hell do I know.

DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT!!! Even though Munster has two more lines it could use (The Amtrak line & the line that runs along 45th street) I still hate the fact that the other line was turned into a trail. I agree 100% with you.

[css9450]

Originally Posted by Chuckity

I always questioned the wisdom of tearing up those miles of tracks that ran through Schererville for the creation of a bike path. It just seemed insane to me because it was the perfect route for a commuter line.

Which line was that? The one that went down towards Crown Point?

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by css9450

Which line was that? The one that went down towards Crown Point?

Yep.

It runs right under 30 - the overpass just east of Zuni's.