Indiana Senators Fighting To Save Hoosier State Rail Line

Senator Joe Donnelly is joining Senator Dan Coats in urging transportation officials to save the Hoosier State rail line.

The future of the line that connects Indianapolis to Chicago hangs in the balance after the Federal Rail Administration ruled that to continue operation, the state would have to be classified as a railroad carrier. State transportation officials say the designation would expose Indiana to increased costs and liabilities it can’t afford.

In response, Donnelly and Coats sent letters to the Federal Rail Administration asking them to reconsider. Coats says since Indiana partners with Amtrak to operate the service and does not own the tracks or railroad equipment, it should be exempt.

Donnelly says he’s confident the sides can work out an agreement before an April 30 deadline.

“These are certainly not insurmountable, there are just a few things to get through, and we should be able to do it in the time allotted,” he said.

Service was originally set to end April 1. That was extended  after the Federal Rail Administration decided to review the decision.