Illiana Expressway Study Approved By House 91-5

The Indiana House in an overwhelming majority -- 91 in favor to 5 opposed -- has approved a study of the Illiana Expressway in a mass transit study bill, reports the Northwest Indiana Times.

Reports the Indianapolis Star:

The House also voted 91-5 to pass SB 105, which would direct the Indiana Department of Transportation to study numerous mass transit projects statewide, including a commuter rail line from Indianapolis to Muncie. The bill also directs further study of the western portion of the Illiana Expressway in Northwest Indiana by a legislative committee.

The Indiana House's approval of the Illiana Expressway study comes on the same day as Scott Ford, a member of the LaPorte County Economic Development Commission, wrote that Indiana's leaders should study the Illiana Expressway proposals in an opinion piece in the Herald Argus.

Our economic future is tied to Chicago and the ability to move our products and people quickly and effectively. The world will continue to shrink and our region’s ability to generate income for its citizens will continue to be directly linked to cost-effective transportation and highways. The economic reality is that there isn’t enough funding to repair our current infrastructure. No one wants to pay more taxes to build new highways and public/private partnerships may be the answer to these funding issues.

We have to have vision and look toward the future. Many of La Porte’s leaders over the last four decades have focused on short-term results that would be visible during their terms of office. Look at where short-term thinking got us today -- a city and county that lags behind state and national averages in income and education. Our best and brightest young people move away because of limited opportunity.

We can’t afford to say no to the Illiana Expressway until every detail and fact is studied extensively. The next 40 years will be impacted by our vision or lack of it.

Copyright 2007, ChristopherHedges.com, All Rights Reserved.

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

Legislative Study For Illiana This Summer Or Fall?

The Indiana Democrats responded to Gov. Mitch Daniels' announcement that the Illiana Expressway Toll Road wouldn't extend east past I-65.

“You can only push people so far before they begin to see right through you,” (Democratic chairman Dan) Parker said. “Hoosiers have spoken, and Mitch Daniels knew House Democrats would listen to them. He had no choice but to take his unpopular proposals off the table.”

Things could still be on track for a Lake County Illiana Expressway, but it might be pushed back into Indiana House committee hearings.

Indiana House Speaker Pat Bauer promised "legislative study" for "toll road proposals" in the summer or the fall, according to the Democrat's news release.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Toll+Road Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Northwest+Indiana Highway Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads

Valpo Chamber Of Commerce Supports Illiana Expressway Study

The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce passes a resolution urging a study of the effects of building the proposed Illiana Expressway Toll Road.

According to a resolution passed by the Chamber of Commerce, the "Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce supports the complete and accurate study of the effects of the Illiana Expressway on Northwest Indiana and its impact on the quality of life, environment, economic development, transportation, and growth of Valparaiso and Northwest Indiana."

Source: NWI.com

Writes the Valpo Chamber in a news release:

The Board of Directors of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce took a position in support of a feasibility study concerning the need for a new arterial highway to ease the congestion on the Borman Expressway.

This position supports the complete and accurate study of the effects of the proposed Illiana Expressway and its impact on the quality of life, environment, economic development, transportation, and growth of Valparaiso and Northwest Indiana.

“A new highway through LaPorte, Porter, and Lake Counties will have significant impact on this region,” explained Rex Richards, president of the Valpo Chamber. “It is critical to gather the necessary facts to make an informed decision.”

The proposed Illiana Expressway, connecting I-57 in Illinois and I-94 in Indiana, would be publically owned but built with private funds, not tax dollars, and operated under contract as a tollroad. The highway was conceived to help relieve increasing traffic congestion in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area.

Tech Tags: Illiana+Expressway Illiana Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads

Foreign Investment In Illiana Toll Road Expressway Defended

George Mrak defends plans to allow foreign investment in the proposed Illiana Expressway Toll Road pointing to foreign ownership of various Northwest Indiana businesses, including Mittal Steel, BP Amoco, Westfield Shopping Town Southlake Mall, and the Indiana-American Water Company.

From Mrak's letter in the Chesterton Tribune:

All these businesses provide jobs and services for many Americans, even to you, your friends, and neighbors. Foreign investment in this country has a beneficial effect on our economy, and suggesting that it would be detrimental to the building and operation of a toll road is fear-mongering at its worst – look up xenophobia in the dictionary.

Tech Tags: Illiana+Expressway Illiana Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads

Why The Fuss Over SB1, If It Isn't Needed?

Shelby County Truth writes that INDOT officials are saying legislation isn't needed to conduct an Illiana Toll Road study.

Here is a very interesting article about the Illiana Toll Road proposal from the Northwest Indiana Times.

Apparently, INDOT representatives now say that SB 1 is not needed for the purpose of conducting a study.

Shelby County Truth pointed this out weeks ago, when the supporters of the ICC Toll Road trumpeted SB1 as calling for “just a study.”

The fact is, the state of Indiana does not need legislative approval to do feasibility study of either toll road proposal. As the INDOT representative points out, SB 1 is for the purpose of authorizing the building, and selling of the roads.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 INDOT

NWI.com Online Poll Shows Illiana Support

NWI.com's online poll "Should the Indiana Department of Transportation do a study on whether to build the Illiana Expressway?" is showing respondents are in favor of the study 64% (285) to 36% (162), as of Wednesday, about 2:10 p.m.

This is despite messages on CAPIT's bulletin board encouraging its membership to vote "No."

Tech Tags: Illiana+Online+Opinion+POll Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road

No-Illiana CAPIT Group Meeting 3-22

Just a FYI: Citizens Against the Private Illiana Toll Road will be meeting at Westville High School March 22 at 7 p.m., according to their message board at No-Illiana-Tollroad.com.

Tags: CAPIT No-Illiana Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road

Will Union Support Win Over Democrat Votes For Illiana?

Porter County Politics blog asks if union support will save the Illiana Toll Road proposal from defeat.

Just when it looks like Governor Daniels has had it with Northwest Indiana, throws up his hands and pronounces "why work so hard for them, they didn't elect me anyway." the unions join hands to pull their democratic pals into line.

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

A 1990 Study Suggests Illiana Won't Cure Borman Congestion

The Post-Tribune reports that a 1990 study commissioned by Sen. Richard Lugar found that building the Illiana Toll Road would not solve Borman Expressway congestion problems because most of the I80-I94 traffic was local.

A study conducted in the early 1990s concluded that an Illiana-like expressway wouldn't single-handedly solve congestion problems on the Borman Expressway.

The Interstate 94 Congestion Relief Study considered several options including construction of an east-west suburban expressway, removing the tolls from the Skyway and Indiana Toll Road, and expanding the Borman to either eight or 10 lanes. In 1991, the Borman contained six lanes.

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

CAPIT Member Issues Warning About Illiana Toll Road

Recent articles in the Northwest Indiana Times in support of the Illiana Toll Road Expressway have raised concerns in CAPIT -- Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Toll Road -- members' minds.

See Pro-Illiana Group Forms and Illinois Officials Back Illiana Expressway.

Writes Terri Ahlberg in the No Illiana Toll Road message board (free membership to Yahoo required):

When you read this article it actually points out something we have been saying all along....we do not need Senate Bill 1 to do a study...we need it to move forward to build the road..at least they are starting to state the obvious! The big money behind this push is disturbing.

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

Pro-Illiana Group Forms

Five Northwest Indiana organizations have joined to create a pro-Illiana Toll Road advocacy group, reports the Northwest Indiana Times.

Five groups have put out a joint statement that "advocates facts on the Illiana."

Some of those stand in stark contrast to numbers promulgated by opponents, according to Jim Zaleski, a spokesman for the organizations.

"We want to create public discussion on this topic because that's what needs to take place," Zaleski said.

The organizations say according to transportation planners' numbers, the Illiana will take up 2,500 acres, not the 16,000 acres recently cited by opponents. It also cites the fact that "the farming way of life" does quite nicely all along Interstate 65 between Northwest Indiana and Indianapolis.

"We just want to make sure realistic numbers are used," Zaleski said. "It's not our purpose to be in conflict."

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

Illinois Officials Back Illiana Expressway

The Northwest Indiana Times reports that Illinois officials favor the Illiana Expressway project, including Illinois' Senate Majority leader.

Illinois leaders are calling for a study of the Illiana Expressway to be completed as soon as possible and for an intense federal lobbying effort to have it declared a Corridor of the Future.

"Everywhere I go, this is the No. 1 issue," said Illinois Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete. "We need the Illiana. We need a way to get off the Borman (Expressway)."

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

Illiana Expressway Is A Federal Corridor Of The Future

While legislative support for building the Illiana Toll Road seems to be slipping after a meeting with opponents at the Porter County Fairgrounds, the Federal Government has selected the Illiana Expressway as one of 14 "Corridors Of The Future."

From The Times:

The 63-mile highway, which Gov. Mitch Daniels wants to build as a privately financed tollway, is one of two Indiana projects selected among 14 finalists for the federal Corridors of the Future Program. The U.S. Department of Transportation initiative aims to accelerate multistate projects geared toward alleviating highway congestion.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Toll+Road Transportation Highways Corridors+Of+The+Future

Would Opposition Cease If Illiana Stopped At I-65?

A Porter County legislator's comments have me wondering if the compromise to get the Illiana built might be to just run the Illiana from I-65 to the west?

Reports the Chesterton Tribune:

According to a statement released today, State Sen. Vic Heinhold, R-Kouts, has announced that he wants to remove the largest portion of the Illiana Toll Road from the rest of the language in S.B. 1. Instead, the statement said, he “favors an independent study of the eastern leg extending from I-65 east through Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.”

I wonder if a win-win could be had by all if the Illiana began at I-65 in Lake County and extended westward?

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Toll +Road Illiana+Legislation Transportation Highway Interstates

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.

Tech Tags: Transportation Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Highway Interstate Road+Construction

Illiana Gets Construction Advancement Foundation Support

The Construction Advancement Foundation throws it support for construction of the Illiana Toll Road, reports the Chesterton Tribune, saying the Illiana Expressway interstate highway project would "create 'thousands of high-paying jobs,' improve 'the quality of life for residents of the region,' generate 'wealth,' and cost taxpayers 'nothing.'"

“It is an indisputable fact of regional economies that as access to better transportation systems improves the region’s economy prospers,” said Construction Advancement Foundation) Executive Director Dewey Pearman in a
statement released on Friday.

“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. 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.”

The construction group said that a mile of interstate highway costs about $20 million to construct in Northwest Indiana and would create 800 jobs.

Says Pearman:

“National data (indicate) that 40 jobs will be created for every one million dollars spent on highway construction. The job creation math for this project is simple.

With 800 jobs being created for every mile of highway construction, a 40-mile stretch of new interstate highway running through Northwest Indiana would create 32,000 jobs. Since the exact route of the Illiana has not been determined, and will not be determined until after a comprehensive study is completed, the highway could stretch to 50 miles, creating 40,000 jobs.”

The construction group estimates that Northwest Indiana trades people earn between $27 per hour to $39 per hour with benefits packages of $10 per hour to $15 per hour, reports the Chesterton Tribune.

Tech Tags: Transportation Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Highway Interstate Road+Construction

Valparaiso Chamber Of Commerce Calls For Illiana Study

Taking Down Words writes Valpo's Chamber of Commerce wants an Illiana study, rather than giving Gov. Mitch Daniels "a blank check to do whatever he wants."

Tech Tags: Transportation Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Highway Interstate Road+Construction

Illiana Toll Road Quick Links

Some Illiana Quick Links:

The Illiana - Peotone Connection -- The Daily Southtown

Illinois' proponents of the Illiana keep Peotone airport issue separated from Illiana debate.

Wanted: Answers For Illiana Questions -- The Northwest Indiana Times

Should the Illiana Expressway be built beyond I-65?

Illiana Foes Say Plan's Impact Needs Review -- The Post-Tribune

Is SB 1 -- the Illiana legislation -- a green light to build the new Illiana Toll Road?

Illiana Expressway / Toll Road Announcement

From IN.GOV:

INDIANAPOLIS (December 12, 2006) - Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels announced today the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have signed an agreement to study potential locations for a new interstate-quality highway connecting I-57 in Illinois to I-94 in Indiana. The proposed highway, known as the Illiana Expressway, would be publicly owned but built with private funds, not tax dollars, and operated under contract as a toll road. The highway would help relieve increasing traffic congestion in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area.

"The Illiana Expressway would stimulate jobs all along its route, and help both the economy and quality of life throughout Chicagoland by alleviating congestion. The possibilities for intermodal distribution alone are enormous," said Daniels.

After selecting an engineering firm for the project, engineers will perform a full-scale environmental impact analysis and identify a final highway alignment.
The bi-state study, estimated to cost between $5 million and $10 million, is expected to take no more than three years to complete. INDOT will be the lead agency, and the two states will share the cost of the study. State and federal approval are needed before construction could begin.

Addressing the movement of freight will be a significant factor in the study. Rail yards in the Chicagoland area feed a large number of trucks using the current highway system. In Indiana, the Borman Expressway (I-80/94) is the
state's second busiest highway and half of the traffic is semi-trucks. The new highway would address these traffic issues:

• The current expansion of the Borman Expressway is the last because there is
  no additional land available. This expansion is expected to handle traffic
  growth for about 15 years.
  
• The number of trucks that use the Borman each is expected to increase by 50 percent in the next 20 years. Right now, there are 28,000 per day.
  
• 300,000 vehicles travel between Indiana and Chicago each day on the Borman, US 6, US 30, the Indiana Toll Road and local streets.
  
• The metropolitan planning organization for Northwest Indiana estimates that the Illiana Expressway would reduce truck traffic on US 30 by 59 percent and on the Borman, by 22 percent.
  

The costs of congestion are considerable. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, wasted fuel and time delays cost each traveler in the Chicago area nearly $1,000 annually. A national study, conducted in 2005 by the Federal Highway Administration, found delays due to congestion cost the trucking industry and its customers a minimum of $32 an hour, or some $8 billion annually.

The highway would be approximately 63 miles, with 50 of that in Indiana. Truck-only lanes will be evaluated along with the latest technology to facilitate the efficient movement of traffic and freight.

A map of the proposed study area may be found at this link.

Tech Tags: Transportation Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Highway Interstate Road+Construction

Indiana Senate Bill 1 -- Illiana Expressway Legislation

From IN.Gov:

Indiana Senate Bill 1 -- Indiana Commerce Connector and Illiana Expressway

DIGEST OF SB1 (Updated February 12, 2007 4:51 pm - DI 84)

Indiana Commerce Connector and Illiana Expressway.

For purposes of the statute concerning tollways, permits the designation of the Indiana Commerce Connector, the Illiana Expressway, or both (instead of a part of Interstate Highway 69) as a tollway.

For purposes of the statute governing public-private agreements concerning toll roads, deletes the prohibition against a public-private agreement (without legislative authorization) that would permit an operator to impose tolls for the operation of motor vehicles.

Provides that, for purposes of statutes governing public-private agreements concerning toll road projects, neither the Indiana finance authority nor an operator may issue a request for proposals for or enter into a public-private agreement (other than for the Indiana Commerce Connector or the Illiana Expressway) unless the general assembly enacts a statute authorizing that activity.

For purposes of the statute governing public-private agreements by the department of transportation: (1) authorizes public-private agreements for the Indiana Commerce Connector, the Illiana Expressway, or both (instead of a part of Interstate Highway 69); and (2) deletes the current authority for offerors that submit a proposal on a project that consists in whole or in part of a tollway to submit alternative proposals based upon the assumption that a different part or none of the project will consist of a tollway.

For purposes of the statute governing the designation of state highways as tollways, permits the designation of the Indiana Commerce Connector, the Illiana Expressway, or both (instead of a part of Interstate Highway 69) as a tollway without legislative authorization.

Creates legislative review committees for proposals concerning the Indiana Commerce Connector and the Illiana Expressway.

Tech Tags: Transportation Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Highway Interstate Road+Construction

Welcome to No Illiana Toll Road?

Welcome to No Illiana Toll Road?

There has been so much debate and controversy surrounding the plan to build the Illiana Toll Road or Expressway that it warrants public debate and discussion.

I don't have an opinion on whether the Illiana Toll Road should be built. I need some convincing either way. Share your opinions on this issue that promises to change Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties for the better or for the worst during the next 100+ years.

Supporters say the Illiana Toll Road project will create jobs for generations to come, initially as union workers build the highway, then as housing and businesses build up along the route. Proponents say cross-country trucks will use the route to avoid the heavily congested Borman Expressway, as well as Indiana residents working in Illinois.

Opponents to the Illiana Toll Road raise concerns that the new private-public tollway threatens their rural way of life, could harm the environment, cause further harm to North Lake County as businesses and people are drawn further south to the new developments.

There are probably many more issues for and against.

Share them with the world!

Tech Tags: Illiana+Toll+Road Illiana+Expressway Public+Private+Toll+Roads