Hope for a better passenger train service through Michiana just got a financial boost

WARSAW, Ind. - The hope for better passenger train service through Michiana just got a financial boost after the Indiana Department of Transportation got half a million dollars to explore the Midwest connect corridor.

The proposed rail line would directly link Chicago, Fort Wayne, Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, making stops in Valparaiso, Plymouth, and Warsaw.

One resident of Warsaw, Tami Murphy, who works at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, would be thrilled see the passenger train come to town.

“You can have fun on the train, you can look at all the different things around the train, I think it might be safer than in a car, but I see it making a great impact on people's lives,” said Murphy.

The Northern Indiana Passenger Rail Association says this $500,000 will help flesh out the plans for the Midwest connect corridor considering things like cost and track improvements.

Residents in the area hope the proposed train route will help with both mobility and economic growth in the future.

“To have not only transportation directly from here to possibly Chicago and other destinations, but perhaps from Chicago back to Warsaw, perhaps bringing some commerce and folks back here to see our community and maybe visit here,” said Dawn Wilkinson, resident of Kosciusko County.

Suzie Light, a resident of Warsaw, has fond memories of taking the train from Chicago to visit her grandparents.

“I would be really excited to see a train with passenger service from our community, “said Light.

And it's not just the Midwest connect corridor that's been selected for funding here in Indiana.

There is also a proposed route from Louisville to Indianapolis, and another from Indianapolis to Chicago.