The Hoosier Environmental Council wants to see progress in bringing high speed passenger rail to Indiana, and wants the public to get involved.
The Midwest Regional Rail System plan goes back to the 1990s, with the goal of connecting Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit and Cleveland.
More federal funding has been made available in recent years, so states are jumping into action.
But Tim Maloney with the Hoosier Environmental Council says Indiana is lagging behind neighboring states.
The group is holding a series of public meetings over the next few weeks and he wants a lot of public participation.
“And to encourage people to weigh in with their elected officials to encourage Indiana to be an active part in completing the system.”
Maloney says there are significant environmental and economic benefits with high speed rail – one of which is thousands of new, permanent jobs.
“Anywhere from $2.3-3.5 billion in user benefits, over 4,500 new permanent jobs and an added $86 million of household income.”
The meeting dates, times and locations are:
Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library Meeting Room, 1110 E. Main St.
Greensburg, Ind.
Monday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Rushville Public Library Meeting Room, 130 W. Third St.
Rushville, Ind.
Wednesday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Shelby County Public Library, Carnegie East Wing (Meeting Room B), 57 W. Broadway St.
Shelbyville, Ind.
Tuesday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Crawfordsville Public Library, Donnelley Room, 205 S. Washington St.
Crawfordsville, Ind.
