New population projections vital to getting funding for the South Shore extension could create problems when it comes to other regional transportation projects.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District is urging the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to accept the new projections for all future planning.

"If you use traditional projections, the project (South Shore extension) is frozen," NICTD grant administrator Joe Crnkovich told a NICTD committee on Tuesday.

Traditionally, NIRPC has used population forecasts provided by the Indiana Business Research Center. Almost two years ago, a consultant for NICTD developed new forecasts which show much faster population growth for the region than the research center figures.

But several NIRPC board members on Tuesday asked if the new forecasts could endanger other road projects planned for the region that are dependent on previous populations estimates. That's because forecasts that show more people living here could put those projects out of conformity with federal air quality standards.