STATEHOUSE (April 6, 2016) – State Reps. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) and Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) urge the Surface Transportation Board to schedule a public hearing in Porter County regarding the proposed Great Lakes Basin Transportation Inc. (GLBT) rail line.
The 278-mile rail line proposed by GLBT would run through Porter County, which is one of the most rapidly developing areas in the state. Soliday, a member of the Northwest Indiana Planning Commission, said a public hearing is needed to gain valuable input from local citizens, business owners and officials who may be affected by the GLBT rail line.
Soliday recently penned a letter to the Surface Transportation Board urging them to hold a hearing in Porter County.
“I have concerns that this rail line proposal will not be thoroughly vetted in all impacted communities as it could have significant consequences for citizens, businesses and regional coordinated planning and development,” Soliday said.
“I am disappointed that there will be no public meeting in Porter County to discuss the proposed railroad,” Aylesworth said. “Since the railroad would travel in the unincorporated portion of Porter County and affect so many local citizens, I believe it is only right and proper for the citizens to vocally give input on this massive project.”
-30-
Rep. Soliday represents the city of Valparaiso, all of Center, Union and Washington townships and portions of Liberty and Jackson townships.
Rep. Aylesworth represents the southern portions of Lake and Porter counties.
