Illiana Expressway

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels proposes the creation of an Illinois – Indiana commission to oversee the construction of the Illiana Expressway that was recently approved by the Indiana legislature.

Writes Times reporter Dan Carden regarding the proposed Illiana Expressway commission:

Gov. Mitch Daniels wants to create a bistate commission with Illinois to streamline planning and bidding for the Illiana Expressway.

Speaking to reporters Friday, the Republican governor said an existing bridge commission between Indiana and Kentucky could serve as a model for the Illiana joint venture.

Gov. Mitch Daniels plans to meet with Illinois’ Gov. Pat Quinn about the Illiana Expressway commission, reports Jon Seidel of the Post-Tribune.

Mitch Daniels said he will sign the Illiana Expressway legislation passed by the Indiana House and Senate when it reaches his desk.

The Illiana Expressway legislation passed by the Indiana House and that was before the Indiana Senate last week passed 42-0 on Tuesday, reports the Post-Tribune.

Now the Illiana Expressway bill goes to Gov. Mitch Daniels for his signature. 

It is expected that Daniels will sign the Illiana Expressway legislation into law.

Writes the Post-Tribune’s Jon Seidel:

However, even Gov. Mitch Daniels acknowledged Tuesday there’s still no guarantee the long-sought highway will be built.

“It definitely opens the door to what could be the breakthrough we’ve always wanted,” Daniels said.

More on the Illiana Expressway legislation from the Northwest Indiana Times.

The Indiana House passed Illiana Expressway legislation 89-6 last week allowing the roadway to be built as a public-private partnership.  The legislation approves construction of the Illiana Expressway from I-65 in southern Lake County, Indiana to Illinois 55 in Illinois.

Two Northwest Indiana legislators voted “NO” on the Illiana Expressway legislation –  State Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh, D-Crown Point, and state Rep. Don Lehe, R-Brookston — reports the Post-Tribune.

The Indiana House approved version the Illiana Expressway legislation (SB 382) will now go before the Indiana Senate for approval.