Public Interest Group Issues Negative Indiana Toll Road Report

The Blue Indiana blog -- never a friend of the Mitch Daniel's administration that set up and oversaw the lease of the Indiana Toll Road to private interests -- found a US Public Interest Research Group report that says that the Indiana Toll Road lease was a bad deal for future Indiana taxpayers.

As I said, there is much more in the report, so go check it out. The general implication is, unfortunately, that the Indiana Toll Road lease and Major Moves program, while potentially politically useful for Governor Daniels now, will almost certainly result in numerous long-term problems for the state and the future generations who will be forced to live with the decisions of this administration.

It remains to be see whether the Indiana Toll Road lease works out for the best in the end, but Governor Mitch Daniel's administration points to huge interest that is being earned on the up-front lease payment that was obtained from the Indiana Toll Road operators.

Copyright 2007, ChristopherHedges.com, All Rights Reserved.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads

Mitch Daniels Speaks About Illiana Expressway And Indiana Toll Road Privatization

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels spoke with the Northwest Indiana Times' editors yesterday about a wide ranging series of topics, including the proposed Illiana Expressway which is currently being studied for construction from I-65 to I-57 in Illinois and the effects of privatizing the Indiana Toll Road.

Mitch Daniels told the Times that his suggestion to extend the Illiana Expressway past I-65 to form a loop connecting with I-94 was "what spurred most of the yelling and I understand that."

Despite the vocal opposition raised by people opposed to extending the Illiana Expressway into Porter County, Mitch Daniels hopes to be able to extend in proposed interstate to I-94 one of these days. "I hope we can keep the conversation going," said Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Daniels also spoke about the effects of privatization of the Indiana Toll Road. Despite some problems with signage advising which lanes are designed for I-Zoom / EZ-Pass / I-Pass toll collection and some backups at toll plazas caused the confusion and some grumbling by union members, Daniels said that the interested made from the Indiana Toll Road lease brought in more money for the state than the Indiana Toll Road did during its first 50 years.

Copyright 2007, ChristopherHedges.com, All Rights Reserved.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads

Rep. Ed Soliday Blasts INDOT's Focus On Private Cash For Illiana Expressway

Valparaiso Rep. Ed Soliday sent a letter to the Indiana Department of Transportation complaining that the state transportation agency is pushing for private cash funding of the proposed Illiana Expressway and not exploring all options, as he says is required by the Illiana Expressway legislation.

Soliday -- a member of the Illiana Expressway Proposal Review Committee -- sent the letter Thursday.

Reports the Post-Tribune:

"In my opinion as the author of the provision, this directly contradicts the spirit and intention of the legislation," Soliday wrote.

The Northwest Indiana Times writes:

State law calls for financing options to be included in the study. But Soliday said the bid request that went out to consultants shows the state only is interested in the privately financed tollway model advocated by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.

"Right now, I don't think they're in compliance with the spirit, intent and letter of the law," Soliday said, adding that attorneys he has spoken with agree. "It appears they defaulted to a (public-private partnership), which is what they wanted to do all along ... I think their credibility is at risk. I think my credibility is at risk."

It seems to me that the whole Illiana Expressway proposal has always been touted as a public-private partnership project -- per Gov. Mitch Daniels' philosophy -- so it shouldn't seem surprising that the state would seek to gain funding for the Illiana Expressway using private money as the first resort, rather than looking for additional state funds during a time when taxpayers all over the state are in virtual revolt over substantial property tax increases. But, I can see Rep. Ed Soliday's point in wanting to explore all options for financing the project so that the best proposals can be selected and implemented -- whether they are public or private or some combination of the both.

Copyright 2007, ChristopherHedges.com, All Rights Reserved.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads

Rose Blogs Her Anti-Illiana Position On Myspace

Myspace Rose from Valparaiso explains why she's against the Illiana Expressway Toll Road:

there are so many things wrong with the whole entire concept of building a new toll east of 65! it would be pointless to the general public.

all that would happen is the reopening of the proposal on the dump in boone grove!

i don't want a damn toll that would be pointless for me to us because i already have the means to get to chicago by the roads that already exist... they are called; I65, RT30, I80/94, RT130, RT49 and the current toll that ppl rarely use, 90. ...

next are the ppl who say that they would rather drive around chicago instead of through to avoid the traffic and this proposed toll road would help their problem. well... hum... how can i put this? you're an idiot.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Indiana+Commerce+Connector Gov.+Mitch+Daniels Highway

CAPIT Reports No April 4th Illiana Expressway Hearing

From the Citizens Against The Privatized Illiana Toll Road's Yahoo group:

When we receive important information from Indianapolis I like to confirm it with a second source, so sorry about the delay, but:

I just confirmed that Senate Bill 1 will NOT be heard by the House Transportation Committee and consequently, there will be no hearing April 4. Rather anti-climactic but good news regardless.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Indiana+Commerce+Connector Gov.+Mitch+Daniels Highway

Tully Critiques Governor's Illiana East Leg Defeat

Indy Star columnist Matt Tully critiques Gov. Mitch Daniels' Illiana (and Indiana Commerce Connector) defeats.

Even in defeat, don't think Daniels is crying. His office began calling allies to announce his decision Friday but released it to the media Saturday -- a move that guaranteed a big splash in the Sunday papers. A veteran of politics, Daniels knows how to bury news you want buried: Release it late on a Friday. He also knows Sunday papers are the best read.

Headlines across the state, essentially saying, "I heard you," don't hurt.

Plus, Daniels saved himself the headache and heartburn of more hearings, organized by Democrats and full of loud opposition to the toll roads.

If Daniels made the best of a losing situation, he deserves credit for doing it so gracefully. He didn't criticize opponents. He didn't question their motives. He took the high toll road.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Indiana+Commerce+Connector Gov.+Mitch+Daniels Highway

Casson's View: Rural Folks Stay Off Suburban Roads

Valparaiso's David Casson -- noted anti Iraq War advocate -- weighs in on the Illiana Expressway Toll Road debate with a letter to the Post-Tribune's editor in which he tells those opposed to highways to stay off of the suburban highways.

I can understand why those who live in the area of the proposed Illiana Expressway opposed it to safeguard their country lifestyle.

We who live north of them also enjoy our suburban lifestyle and wish to preserve it. It is the perfect balance between the rushed big-city life and the docile country life.

Therefore, we request that those who live in Old MacDonald Land please stay out of our area. ...

Please do not use our expressways or Toll Road, since they are so abhorrent to you. ...

Since you dislike our way of life in suburbia, please don't come up here and disrupt it.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Indiana+Commerce+Connector Gov.+Mitch+Daniels Highway

Does Mitch Daniels' New Illiana Plan Help His Reelection Chances?

Mark Kiesling at the Northwest Indiana Times thinks that Gov. Mitch Daniels' withdrawal of the east leg of the Illiana Expressway Toll Road might win him some Northwest Indiana votes in his reelection bid:

Would that have cost him the 2008 election? The Illiana would likely not. He doesn't pull huge votes out of Northwest Indiana anyway. ...

But in what could shape up to be a close race, by killing the eastern portion of the Illiana Daniels has made a couple thousand happy folks who will remember him as the guy who stood up for the little man.

"This is a great day for democracy," said Dave Ahlberg, head of Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Toll Road.

Daniels has won hearts and minds in the short run.

And that's all that counts when re-election is your Major Move.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Indiana+Commerce+Connector Gov.+Mitch+Daniels Highway

'We No Longer Want To Be The Silent Majority'

Pro Illiana Expressway Toll Road supporters plan an Indianapolis Statehouse lobbying effort to rival the anti Illiana effort planned by the Citizens Against The Privatized Illiana Toll Road, reports the Northwest Indiana Times.

Eighteen business groups ranging from the City of LaPorte to the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce signed on to the pro-Illiana lobbying effort this week, which will specifically target Northwest Indiana's delegation in the Indiana General Assembly.

"A project of this magnitude deserves its due diligence," said Vince Galbiati, president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. "Legislators hearing directly from the business community is essential."

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Indiana+Commerce+Connector Gov.+Mitch+Daniels Highway

Are New Indiana Road Projects Insane?

The I-69 News Blog rejoices in the news that the Indiana Commerce Connector and news of scaled-back plans for the Illiana Expressway Toll Road:

We have to remember that this victory is due to the strength of our communities and our resistance - these horrific road plans were only withdrawn because of the willingness of people across Indiana to stand up and say no, and also, to begin organizing with others to resist.

As we take on and defeat insane road project after insane road project, it is also increasingly clear that we can take on and defeat I-69, especially since its been weakened by this news.

I wonder if both sides will ever be able to meet in the middle to address the transportation needs of Lake County, Indiana in such a way that makes everyone happy?

Something will have to be done as people continue to move into Lake County, Indiana.

Our neighboring name-sake county to the north -- Lake County, Illinois -- faced the issue of congested streets and roads not too long ago as people move out of the urban core into the suburbs:

Every Lake County (Illinois) motorist has experienced the frustration of getting caught in congestion.

Traffic gridlock is listed as the No. 1 concern facing Lake County (Illinois) residents in many surveys. And, with the county's population expected to continue to grow rapidly, those problems will only get worse.

If something isn't done, people in Lake County, Indiana will be complaining about the lack of foresight in traffic planning.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Indiana+Commerce+Connector Gov.+Mitch+Daniels Highway