The first of six Illiana Expressway studies has fixed the boundaries of the proposed highway that will connect I-65 to I-57.  Within those boundaries, Illiana Expressway planners will explore a northern, central and southern Illiana Expressway route.

The Illiana Expressway will run through Lake County — sorry Porter County, people and trucks will have to keep traveling on I-94, US 30, West County Road 100 South or State Road 2 to get to Valparaiso and other locations in the county from I-65.

According to the Northwest Indiana Times, the Illiana Expressway feasibility study will look at placing the Illiana Expressway within these boundaries:

North: 1/4 mile north of US 30.

South: Kankakee River (Lake County boundary)

East: I-65

West: 1/2 mile west of US 45 in Illinois.

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While I was driving on the four lane road cutting through a large swath of Northern Indiana farmland and undeveloped rural lands, I wondered if there was opposition to build that highway when it was first proposed?  I haven’t heard of any, but that doesn’t mean that there weren’t anti US 30 groups rallying during the early 20th century.

Is the difference the private-public nature of the proposal?

Could it be the tolls?

Could it be opposition to anything that could connect into the NAFTA / NASCO highway system?

I wonder if the Illiana Expressway would be more acceptable to people if there were guarantees that bridges or underpasses would be built to allow easy crossing of the highway?

Just some thoughts.  Feel free to elaborate and enlighten us with your viewpoints.

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