Study to be conducted in hopes of keeping popular Amtrak route

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Lafayette could be losing a popular Amtrak route that runs between Chicago and Indianapolis.

Earlier this year, the federal government announced it would stop funding shortfalls on rail lines that are less than 750 miles long. This means the Hoosier State line, which stops in Lafayette, could stop running in October of next year.
    
Area Plan Commission Executive Director Sallie Fahey said the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) was expected to pick up the slack in funding. But she said INDOT has not agreed to do that yet. However, she said INDOT has agreed to a study.
    
Fahey said INDOT asked the Area Plan Commission to take on the leadership position in that role.

"The study would be paid for 100 percent by INDOT. They would also pay for additional staff time that it would take to manage that study," Fahey said.

Fahey said the Hoosier State line is crucial to Lafayette, but more specifically, Purdue. She hopes to have a request for a proposal early in January.