Impact of South Shore Dyer extension (Hammond: professionals, moving to, train)

[pvande55]

Now that the South Shore has funds for a branch line to Dyer IN, what will be the Impact? West Lake Corridor Project
Most obviously, saving a lot of driving for downtown Chicago commuters from NW Indiana. Possibly accelerating, or at least accommodating, the IL exodus. And it buries Metra's plan to build a line serving the Southeast part of its territory. Any other thoughts?

[richb]

Won't be as much as the supporters of it say. I think it will just move the existing commuters from the existing line to the new one. Most will still drive to the stations so it won't lessen the traffic on 41 or 30.

Keep in mind most employed people in northwest Indiana do not work in the city. I would rather the nearly billion be spent on roads in Northwest Indiana. Adding lanes on 41 and 30 would help far more people than a train line would.

[MovingForward59]

Originally Posted by richb

Won't be as much as the supporters of it say. I think it will just move the existing commuters from the existing line to the new one. Most will still drive to the stations so it won't lessen the traffic on 41 or 30.

Keep in mind most employed people in northwest Indiana do not work in the city. I would rather the nearly billion be spent on roads in Northwest Indiana. Adding lanes on 41 and 30 would help far more people than a train line would.

You know its possible to do both right?
Lets walk and chew gum at the same time

[RegionAire]

Not sure how we can walk and chew gum at the same time when each piece of gum is in the capital B billions range.

As far as cutting commute time, I Think it's debatable. If you get on at Main Street, you will have at least three stops before you get to the west-bound leg in Hammond. Why not just drive 10 minutes to the existing Hammond stop?

[ohardin]

Originally Posted by richb

Won't be as much as the supporters of it say. I think it will just move the existing commuters from the existing line to the new one. Most will still drive to the stations so it won't lessen the traffic on 41 or 30.

Keep in mind most employed people in northwest Indiana do not work in the city. I would rather the nearly billion be spent on roads in Northwest Indiana. Adding lanes on 41 and 30 would help far more people than a train line would.

For relatively well paid professionals like myself we need access to Chicago area companies/jobs. Pay scales for similar jobs in NW Indiana are far behind what I can make in Chicago as an IT professional. Since moving to NW Indiana other well paying jobs in the North and NW Chicago suburbs are too far of a car commute and driving into the city is painful. For me the Dyer stop would be wonderful.