Reports Of The Illiana Expressway's Demise May Be Premature

More on the Northwest Indiana Forum's lobbying effort to keep the Illiana Expressway project alive as an economic incubator for Northwest Indiana comes from today's Post-Tribune:

Now Northwest Indiana business and tourism leaders are quietly trying to persuade legislators to move forward with the project.

In a series of closed-door meetings with key members of the General Assembly last week, representatives of the Northwest Indiana Forum argued funding for a feasibility study of the entire Illiana --from Interstate 57 in Illinois through Interstate 65 to Interstate 94 -- should be approved this session.

Forum Director Vincent Galbiati said the group's objective in Indianapolis was simple: Remind lawmakers there is a great deal of support in Lake and Porter counties for the road project.

"From a business perspective, our membership represents $40 billion in commerce," Galbiati said. "We wanted them to understand business leadership is backing them if they decide to pursue this."

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