Indiana High Speed Rail

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8 Comments

Comment by Brandon R. Lott on June 30, 2008 at 12:51am

So, I just find this group after creating Indy Mass Transit group here on SI.com. I look forward to participating in the discussion and getting your involvement with the series of video blogs I will be doing from around the city of the next few weeks. Please do come and read, comment and join the Indy Mass Transit group on Smaller Indiana., http://www.smallerindiana.com/group/indymasstransit

Comment by David Spicer on May 28, 2008 at 12:21pm

The need is there, not just a want. It's not just nice, it's a way of life in most other countries.

I have felt that there needed to be a national system from New York to LA for a very long time. From those National stopping points in the top 10 cities, the construction of major intersections like Indianapolis could happen.

However, without including all those cities, this would more than likely fail. Not to deter the efforts here. If there could be a line from Louisville, to Indy, to Lafayette, to Chicago. Life would be simpler.

As I think deeper, if we could include all major university towns (Bloomington, West Lafayette, Muncie, Terre Haute), this may work in the favor of the average joe that needs this service.

The infrastructure of each of those towns would need to have the ability to add bus lines or light rails into the major parts of town. Having everything reconnect back into the Union Station would be just an added bonus of reviving a forgotten transportation hub.

Chris brings a point of how long I69 has taken to be realized. I think there would be less backlash of a more environmentaly sound option of mass transit to these multiple hour destinations.

Comment by Chris Flener on May 26, 2008 at 5:25pm

I'm in agreement that it would be nice to have such a system in Indiana. Let's put things in perspective first though.

It has taken years to get I69 to connect from Evansville to Indy, and that still isn't done yet! That highway has been overdue for decades, and so many people wanted to stop it. Let's get that major project done first.

As well, keep in mind when you talk about other countries and major US cities that they are very, very different from Indiana. First, other countries use the system because they are often the size of one of our states! When a country is so small, it's funds can be utilized for projects like this without resistence and without many overall problems. The major US cities provide it because you have such a high population condensed into a small area. It's not just a good idea there, it's a necessity due to overcrowding.

There is not a single place in Indiana that deals with overcrowding like major US cities do...even Indy.

I'm all for the idea, and hope it can be accomlished, but I'm it needs to be done immediately to be of use. 10 years from now (when it MIGHT actually get done) it will be too late. If it will take that long, forget it and lets utilize another up and coming idea instead and not waste millions on such a project.

Oh, and if you think it will be a great alternative for Hoosiers to get away from the cost of fuel, think again, the prices to ride will be just as high if the project is in the wrong hands!

Comment by Vince Wong on May 22, 2008 at 9:38pm

I travel to Evanston every other weekend from Indy and I would love to have it. It's crazy that we are so behind in this country. Sure it will require a public subsidy, but such an asset delivers value to the general public -- positive externalities -- that are worthy of taxpayer support.

Comment by Andrew Gouty on May 22, 2008 at 10:45am

I think a lot of people are going to agree (especially now) that alternative transportation is a must. Let's talk about creating a community mechanism for making this a reality.

Comment by Scott Abel on May 22, 2008 at 9:52am

This is way, way, way overdue. Anyone that's traveled outside of the US or to major US cities that offer public transit knows this to be true. Adding high speed rail would drastically improve life for Hoosiers.

Comment by Mark Bischoff on May 22, 2008 at 9:05am

this way over due. Years ago we had the InterUrbans. Just imagine where we would be today if we had kept them.

Comment by David Spicer on May 22, 2008 at 9:00am

This is simply needed.