The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently confirmed that the Build America Bureau will be giving out a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement (RRIF) Program loan to the West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail Project.
The loan provided by the USDOT will fund approximately $203.3 million of the $852 million which the project is anticipated to cost.
“USDOT is excited to provide financing for the West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail Project. Multi-modal investments like this support thriving communities, expand transportation options and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions," Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said on June 17.
The USDOT envisions the loan as a step forward for this key multi-modal project benefiting in northern Indiana.
There are other expectations for the program as well. It was reported that the West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail Project would "expand Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) service coverage, improve mobility and accessibility and stimulate local job creation and economic development opportunities for Lake County."
The project is an 8-mile extension of the existing track and will have many benefits such as decreasing emission by offering an alternative to driving, better economic opportunities for individuals who normally wouldn't have access to transportation, less traffic congestion and faster commute times.
