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

Friday, August 17, 2007

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.

Labels: Ed. Soliday, Gov. Mitch Daniels, public private financing

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