The Surface Transportation Board has ruled on two major issues in its consideration of the Nickel Plate Rail Line’s future.

Officials in Fishers and Noblesville are asking that the stretch of the line from downtown Noblesville south to 96th street be rail banked, which moves forward plans by the two cities to construct a hiking and biking trail, much like the Monon running from Indianapolis north through Carmel.

First, the board ruled that all comments will be accepted, and there have been a lot of comments submitted over this issue.  A large number of those comments have come from supporters of the “Save The Nickel Plate” organization, advocating keeping that rail line as a modem for train travel.

The second decision by the board denied a motion by “Save the Nickel Plate” for a probe, calling for a suspension of consideration into the rail banking request by the cities in order to “investigate all of the filings and claims submitted.”

“The arguments presented in the motion do not provide any reason for the Board to suspend this proceeding and conduct an investigation,” the board wrote in its ruling.
“The Board has provided ample time for comments on the petition and the building of an adequate record, especially when balanced with the Board’s obligation to issue a decision within a statutory deadline.”

You can read the entire document on both board rulings  at this link.

In a podcast interview recorded January 3rd, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness indicated his administration will continue to move forward on the rail banking process with the goal of building a trail along the Nickel Plate line.

“It’s a project I just really, absolutely believe in,” the mayor said.  “(I) stood on the rail line and told everyone that, and I stay consistent with that.  I’m hoping we get some forward progress in the coming months.”

During that podcast interview, I asked the mayor if he has any concerns about those opposing the rail banking process in the Surface Transportation Board proceedings.

“Concerned in the sense that anytime a resident strongly disagrees with what I believe is the right thing to do, I always take pause to think about that,” said Mayor Fadness.  “But, in that sense, I’ve given a lot of thought to this particular project and still believe it’s in the best interest of our city.  So, we will continue to try to move this project forward. I understand their disagreement with my stance on this, I do.  And, I appreciate all the comments that they’ve made.  We will just have to respectfully agree to disagree.”

You can listen to the entire podcast with Scott Fadness at this link.