Trusted. Tested. Results.

Who We AreCreated in 2006 to address:

• Rail and Bus Transportation• Marquette Plan• Gary/Chicago International Airport

– $27.5 million annual budget (of which ~$10 million is now dedicated to rail construction and operations)

– Seven-member Board of Directors– Five-member staff

Trusted. Tested. Results.

Major Initiatives• Rail and Bus

Transportation– South Shore rail cars– ChicaGo Dash buses– Regional Bus

Authority– West Lake Corridor

• Gary/Chicago International Airport– Rail relocation

– Runway expansion

• Marquette Plan– Marquette Park– Wolf Lake– Portage Lakefront– Whiting Lakefront– Jeorse Beach

Trusted. Tested. Results.

New ProjectsFuture RDA plans include:

• West Lake Corridor• Upgrades to existing South Shore line• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)• Continued shoreline improvements• Encouraging development around the

Gary/Chicago International Airport

Trusted. Tested. Results.

• Service from Dyer to Chicago beginning in 2023.

• 5,000 riders projected by 2033 bringing back $231million in personal income annually.

• Will create about 2,000 permanent jobs in NWI.

• Feds pay 50% of $571 million cost.

• State has committed $6 million/year, RDA has committed $8 million/year, local communities $4 million/year.

Trusted. Tested. Results.

New Projects

West Lake Corridor

1989

Existing South Shore LineNWI improvements include:• Continuous double track from Gary to Michigan

City.– Applying for $42 million in Regional Cities funding– One of 7 regions applying for 2 grants– Decision will be made by judging committee in

December

• New high-level boarding platforms in Miller and Portage/Ogden Dunes.– Partnered with Gary to apply for $21.05 million federal

TIGER grant

• Modernize Gary Metro Station.Trusted. Tested. Results.

New Projects

Transit-Oriented Development

Goal: Rebuild the middle class in NWI.

• Millennials drive less, want access to mass transit and “walkable communities.”

• NIRPC 2040 Plan.• Increases property values.• Attracts new business.• Public-private partnerships.• $6 million grant to Munster

for 45th and Calumet realignment to facilitate TOD

Trusted. Tested. Results.

New Projects

Shoreline Improvements: Whiting

2012

2013Trusted. Tested. Results.

New Projects

2014

Shoreline ImprovementsMarquette Plan• Ongoing work in East

Chicago.• Marquette Plan

updated.• Encourage

connections to transit.• Identify areas of

opportunity.

Trusted. Tested. Results.

New Projects

Gary AirportRunway expansion

COMPLETE!• Encourage

development around airport.

• Potential new casino at Buffington Harbor.

• Access improvements.• Clark Road upgrade.

Trusted. Tested. Results.

New Projects

Thank You!Bill HannaPresident and CEORegional Development Authority9800 Connecticut Dr., Crown Point,

IN 46307219.644.3500bhanna@rda.in.gov

Trusted. Tested. Results.