Visclosky Remarks on the South Shore Expansion DEIS Announcement

Washington, DC – Below are Congressman Pete Visclosky’s remarks on the announcement of the South Shore expansion Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), as prepared for delivery.

I want to thank NICTD, the FTA, the Army Corps of Engineers, Governor Pence, members of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly our Northwest Indiana delegation, and the local communities who have supported this investment in the future of our region and who have made today’s announcement possible. 

It is an important announcement and a key benchmark to expanding commuter rail in Northwest Indiana.

However, there is more work to do. 

There remain four communities in Lake County that have yet to fully and financially commit to supporting this transformational investment.

There is more work to do.

There remains the request to the Federal Transit Administration for federal funds that must be prepared to our best ability, filed, and approved.

There is more work to do.

There are outstanding decisions and requests that must be made to support this expansion as a part of our efforts to establish a coordinated regional transportation system that includes the double tracking of the South Shore line from Gary to Michigan City and a robust bus network.

I am proud to be here on a day that acknowledges our ability to make transformational investments when we collaborate and work together with the common purpose to create new jobs for current residents and future generations.

But there is more work to do.  Not next week or next year or in the next few months.  There is more work to do right now.

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