Illiana Toll Road Debate Time
The debate surrounding the proposed Illiana Toll Road has generated much discussion in the local media and throughout the Internet.
In Favor of the Illiana Toll Road:
The proponents of the Illiana Toll Road tout its economic development prospects. Building the road will create many high paying union jobs, as well as spur new business development along the route. The Illiana Expressway would alleviate traffic problems on the Borman Expressway by allowing cross-country trucks to avoid that often congested highway.
“This project would dramatically improve the economy of Northwest Indiana by increasing the quantity and quality of our region’s transportation network and improve the quality of life in the region by reducing the congestion on the Borman Expressway," said Construction Advancement Foundation Executive Director Dewey Pearman.
"The Illiana would improve the economy of the region in two significant ways—creation of thousands of high-paying jobs and creation of wealth in the region.”
Opposed to the Illiana Toll Road:
The opponents of building the Illiana Toll Road predict dire consequences for their way of life, the environment, and ask if there is really demand for another east-west route connecting Indiana to Illinois. Building the Illiana Expressway would cause further declines in North Lake County cities, Illiana opponents say, because it would encourage people to move further south.
"Progress to the people in this room is to live in a community where they have 20 to 25 kids in the classroom. Progress is having their children in 4-H and Cub Scouts and having rural ties," said Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper, an Illiana Expressway opponent at a meeting of Illiana opponents.
Who is right?
Sound off and leave a polite comment that will enlighten and pursuade.
In Favor of the Illiana Toll Road:
The proponents of the Illiana Toll Road tout its economic development prospects. Building the road will create many high paying union jobs, as well as spur new business development along the route. The Illiana Expressway would alleviate traffic problems on the Borman Expressway by allowing cross-country trucks to avoid that often congested highway.
“This project would dramatically improve the economy of Northwest Indiana by increasing the quantity and quality of our region’s transportation network and improve the quality of life in the region by reducing the congestion on the Borman Expressway," said Construction Advancement Foundation Executive Director Dewey Pearman.
"The Illiana would improve the economy of the region in two significant ways—creation of thousands of high-paying jobs and creation of wealth in the region.”
Opposed to the Illiana Toll Road:
The opponents of building the Illiana Toll Road predict dire consequences for their way of life, the environment, and ask if there is really demand for another east-west route connecting Indiana to Illinois. Building the Illiana Expressway would cause further declines in North Lake County cities, Illiana opponents say, because it would encourage people to move further south.
"Progress to the people in this room is to live in a community where they have 20 to 25 kids in the classroom. Progress is having their children in 4-H and Cub Scouts and having rural ties," said Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper, an Illiana Expressway opponent at a meeting of Illiana opponents.
Who is right?
Sound off and leave a polite comment that will enlighten and pursuade.
Labels: Highway, Illiana Expressway, Illiana Legislation, Illiana Toll Road, Interstate, Road Construction, Transportation
posted by Chris Hedges at
12:24 PM
Greatest Hits | Illiana Expressway News:
Plans to Extend The Illiana East Of I-65.
8 Comments:
I say build it to I-65 as a compromise. It will bring economic development to Lake County and will make it easier to get to Illinois when the Borman Expressway is clogged. People wanting to come to the Illiana Expressway from Porter County could access it via Route 2 cutting over to 109th Ave then to coming I-65 interchange at 109th in Crown Point.
Maybe an effort to attract high-technology businesses -- ala the I-88 high tech corridor in Illinois -- could be a goal for the Illiana Expressway.
Compromise could produce winners for all. Lake County gets some economic development and easy access to Illinois for commuters who are moving into the area. Porter County gets to keep things the way they are making residents there happy as well.
Can the Illiana Expressway be built as an elevated highway?
We will need the Illiana. I understand that a thorough debate about where to run it is important, but it's time to move it forward.
The Governor has been assailed for pushing the project, as if creating thousands of jobs is a bad thing for a governor. Oh well, time for leaders to lead and followers to complain.
Would you build it from I-65 east, or from I-65 west? Because now that the I-355 extension is near completion to I-80, the next step will be to extend it to I-57. The Illiana (what a mouthful) would be the next steps in an outer-ring Tri-State tollway from I-65 to Lake County IL (and beyond, though those are other long-fought battles.)
Beyond I-65 to the east...is it really needed?
I'd support a ring road from I-65 up to Lake County, Illinois. It would make perfect sense for people wanting to go north, but wanting to avoid the morning traffic on the Tri-State.
Hi Daltons Briefs,
Thanks for stopping by the blog and commenting. I put a new post linking to your Illiana Toll Road blog round-up.
Welcome to all of the anonymous posters as well. Thanks for your comments and ideas!
I think the Illiana Expressway is a great idea. It will create more jobs, which we are in need of. It will also bring money into Indiana communities by way of more visitors from Illinois. Lowell is very inaccessible from Illinois, yet I travel it everyday - 30 east to 41 south to route 2 - very long drive. This will make Lowell, and other cities very accessible to everyone.
Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for stopping by and making a comment!
I'd like to see the proposed Illiana eventually link up with I-355.
Maybe Illinois will continue I-355 past I-80 onward to I-57. That would make it very attractive to link up with an Indiana road.
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