South Shore line looking for extension savings

CHESTERTON – Officials with the South Shore commuter rail line are looking for ways to cut the estimated $900 million cost of proposed line extensions in northwestern Indiana.

South Shore spokesman John Parsons said a review is under way of individual segments on the possible route to Lowell in southern Lake County in hopes of it meeting federal cost-effectiveness standards on how many riders it might attract.

Another study has found that a proposed Gary-to-Valparaiso route would not attract enough riders to justify its cost, although South Shore officials hope new federal standards would place more weight on a region’s growth potential.

The South Shore line had about 4.1 million riders last year on its route between South Bend and downtown Chicago.