INDIANAPOLIS -- Intermodal was the word on just about everyone's lips at a two-day logistics summit that began here Tuesday, where leaders in transportation met to discuss innovations and key initiatives in the industry.

Everyone, that is, except Roy Roelke, one of the key developers associated with the proposed LaPorte intermodal.

"When the time comes, we'll say something," Roelke said, after literally running from a reporter inquiring about the state of the proposed intermodal facility.

Talks about an intermodal coming to LaPorte County have been in the works for nearly two years, and many people at the summit were eager to know where the region stands in terms of the facility.

The intermodal would connect the interstate, the ports and the trains, creating a transportation hub that would be expected to be a major benefit to businesses in Indiana and throughout the country.

The problem, said Jody Peacock, director of corporate affairs for the Ports of Indiana, is the train system in Northwest Indiana.

"We've done a lot of research and met with different people," Peacock said. "What it comes down to is you really need a railroad that's willing to invest and commit. An intermodal facility is essentially a railroad facility."

With no word yet on a possible railroad willing to do businesses with the proposed intermodal, Peacock said it's difficult to speculate on the possibility of anything happening in the region.

The Northwest Indiana intermodal facility also faces competition throughout the state. Currently, LaPorte, Central Indiana, Fort Wayne and Evansville all are competing to attract the interest of various intermodal developers, said Lisa Laughner, executive vice president for Conexus Indiana, an Indianapolis-based company that studies manufacturing and logistics in the state.

Laughner said to make an intermodal work, support is needed from the cities involved, the railroads, the ports, the roads and the residents.

If it happens, however, she said it could be a big boost to the economy and would relieve congestion in the area.

The one company not curious about the intermodal is ArcelorMittal, one of the largest companies in Northwest Indiana.

"We don't see any advantage to that," said William Jenkins, division manager of logistics for ArcelorMittal. He conceded that while an intermodal may help smaller manufacturers in the region ship their goods, ArcelorMittal handles all their transportation issues internally and would not use an intermodal facility.