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