CAPIT Vows To Continue Illiana Fight

Despite news that Gov. Mitch Daniels has decided to drop plans to build the Illiana Expressway Toll Road east of I-65, CAPIT vows to continue their fight, according Dave Ahlberg on the group's No Illiana Toll Road message board (free Yahoo membership required).

This is not good news for our friends in Lowell and other areas of Lake County. We cannot endorse this project for most, if not all of the reasons we objected to the eastern part of the Illiana Toll Road.

Any studies need to be an unbiased look at the transportation, economic, social, and environmental needs of the Lake, Porter, and LaPorte County areas. We are participating in a press conference next week with the Sierra Club and the Interfaith League, among others, in support of mass transit and urban re-development. We will continue with all of our plans until we are sure that the Illiana Toll Road is dead and buried.

If the Governor is being honest with us about public "discussion" changing his mind about proceeding with these projects, then congratulations and thanks to all of you who stepped up, you are making a difference!

We have not "won", no celebrations or congratulations please! We still have to continue to work hard to make sure we finish the job.

Dave

News of the Gov. Mitch Daniels' announcement that the Illiana won't be built east of I-65 means the Illiana Expressway Toll Road likely will be built.

There is less opposition to the plan in Lake County, Indiana because the road construction promises more union employment and economic development for an area of Indiana that often feels neglected by the rest of the state.

It will be interesting to see if the opponents to the Illiana Expressway Toll Road will be able to continue with the same intensity they've had during the past couple of weeks since many no longer have a personal stake in the legislation.

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