ɪn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks, plˈænɪŋ pɹəsˈiːdᵻd fɚɹən ɛkstˈɛnʃən tə vˌælpɐɹˈeɪsoʊ, ˌɪndiːˈænə, bˌʌt ðə pɹˈɑːdʒɛkt wʌz dˈiːmd ʌŋkwˈɔlᵻfˌaɪd fɔːɹ fˈɛdɚɹəl fˈʌndɪŋ, ænd ðə nˈɪktd wʌz ʌnˈeɪbəl tə kˈɑːnfɪdəntli ɐtˈeɪn tɹˈækɪdʒ ɹˈaɪts ɔnðə kɐnˈeɪdiən nˈæʃənəl ɹˈeɪlweɪ lˈaɪn tə vˌælpɐɹˈeɪsoʊ.
In 2006, planning proceeded for an extension to Valparaiso, Indiana, but the project was deemed unqualified for federal funding, and the NICTD was unable to confidently attain trackage rights on the Canadian National Railway line to Valparaiso.