CAPIT Teams Up With Pro-Transit Groups, But Doesn't Support 1% Tax

Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Toll Road has teamed up with transit supporters, but remains neutral on a 1% food and beverage tax to pay for the public transit services, reports the Northwest Indiana Times.

A group opposing the proposed Illiana Expressway is has agreed to team up with the Interfaith Federation and Save the Dunes Council to support what they are calling smart growth across the Region.

Citizens Against Privatized Illiana Toll Road also is distancing itself from a claim that it supports a 1 percent food and beverage tax to support regional busing.

Dave Ahlberg, president of Citizens Against Privatized Illiana Toll Road, said the inaccurate claim was the result of a misunderstanding that arose when his group agreed to team up with the Interfaith Federation and Save the Dunes Council.

CAPIT is neutral on the proposed tax, he said. But the group does share the coalition's opposition to the Illiana Expressway project and the call for alternative forms of transportation.

"We're just a group of like-minded people in some areas," Ahlberg said.

CAPIT's support for the tax was included in a press release announcing a press conference today on the new coalition.

CAPIT's neutral tax position makes sense because it has often been argued that rural areas end up subsidizing urban mass transit without any corresponding benefits for those taxpayers.

It would be interesting if a rural mass transit system could be developed that would be self-supporting, that wouldn't encourage sprawl (a NIRPC document shows some complain a Lowell South Shore Line might cause sprawl), and would be able to meet the needs of people in areas less densely populated than urban and suburban areas. But, it is likely that any such system would require heavy taxpayer subsidies to be able to operate.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads CAPIT Road+Construction Corridors+Of+The+Future

CAPIT Not Quiting Anti Illiana Fight

Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Toll Road will move their fight against the 10 mile stretch of highway proposed by Gov. Mitch Daniels for Lake County, Indiana now that the interstate won't extend east of I-65, writes Terri Ahlberg on the No Illiana Toll Road message board. (Free Yahoo registration required).

Our core members are going to continue to fight all of issues that we feel stongly about. Okay...so no one wanted to lose there home...thats what started this fight.

But in the 40 days or so that we have been organized the we have been doing research 7 days a week. We will not be divided, or be quiet.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Toll+Road Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Northwest+Indiana Highway Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads
CAPIT

If State Operated Illiana, Would That Remove All Opposition?

Brad at the Everything Else Blog raises an interesting point about opposition to the Illiana Expressway Toll Road:

However he (Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels) still wants to build the 10 mile section from the Illinois and Indiana state line to I-65 as a privatized toll road. I still object to that. To be sure I think it should be a toll road, because money is tight for new roads but it should be built and managed by the state.

The public-private partnership controversy surrounding the Illiana Expressway Toll Road had been raised earlier by Dan at the Move On A Shut Up Blog:

(P)erhaps even more interesting, is that only a portion of the con position is about environmental and/or local concerns, rather it seems that there is a focus on being against privatized roads.

If the Illiana Expressway Toll Road was operated by the State, would that knock off the remaining opposition to the proposed new highway project?

Tech Tags: CAPIT Corridors+Of+The+Future Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Public+Private+Toll+Roads Road+Construction Transportation

Rep. Kuzman Favors Illiana, Reports NWI Times

Indiana State Rep. Bob Kuzman tells the Northwest Indiana Times he is in favor of the Illiana Expressway Toll Road in a story about Gov. Mitch Daniels dropping plans to extend the proposed Illiana east of Interstate 65.

State Rep. Bob Kuzman, D-Crown Point, said he believes the public should have been involved in the planning process from the beginning.

"I still believe the priority should be the South Shore to alleviate the traffic and it would be better for the environment," he said. "I support the Illiana, but I support letting the people help choose the route. I think the people spoke and the governor heard their input. From the beginning we should have utilized that approach and used a feasibility study to determine if (taking the proposed route east of I-65) was needed or not needed."

Tech Tags: Bob+Kuzman Illiana Illiana+Expressway+Toll+Road Illiana+Legislation Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads CAPIT Road+Construction Corridors+Of+The+Future

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.

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Toll+Road+Expressway CAPIT SB1 Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Transportation Interstate Highway Northwest+Indiana

Gov. Daniels Drops Illiana Plan East Of I-65

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels drops plans to build the Illiana Expressway Toll Road east of I-65, reports Advance Indiana.

In a letter to lawmakers he withdrew the plan (to build the Indiana Commerce Connector), along with a proposal to build a new Illiana expressway east of I-65 in northwest Indiana, in response to overwhelming public opposition to it. Daniels is, however, continuing the push for an Illiana expressway west of I-65 linking northwest Indiana to Illinois.

The Indianapolis Star printed Gov. Daniels' letter to Indiana lawmakers:

“Like you, I have been paying close attention to the vigorous public discussion around my proposal to explore new privately funded bypass roads in Northwest and Central Indiana. After legislative action to date, some forty public meetings, and lots of other open debate, it is clear to me that we are far from the degree of consensus that is necessary before embarking on major public works projects of high local impact.

“Accordingly, I withdraw the suggestion that any action be taken on an Indiana Commerce Connector, or an Illiana Expressway east of I-65. Either of these ideas might benefit from further research, and I would welcome some form of that if your committees are so inclined. But the people of the affected areas have spoken clearly enough to persuade me that these ideas are, at best, premature.

“By contrast, an Illiana bypass from I-65 west seems to be broadly supported and can, I hope, be given the chance to move forward.

“I appreciate the citizenship of everyone who participated in these two debates. We must never be afraid to venture new ideas for fear of controversy; a state that does that will surely stagnate. But we must also never assume that every new idea is a good one, or imperative to act on immediately.

“I hope that you will reshape the legislation along the above lines, but am happy to work with you on whatever approach you deem best for the interests of our state.”

Tech Tags: Illiana Illiana+Toll+Road+Expressway CAPIT SB1 Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Transportation Interstate Highway Northwest+Indiana

Would Not Studying Illiana Expressway Be Irresponsible?

INDOT's commissioner says Indiana would be irresponsible to not study building the proposed Illiana Expressway Toll Road and predicts that traffic on the Borman Expressway (Interstate 80 and I-94) will be jammed like it was late last century before improvements were recently completed.

Reports the AP via Construction Equipment Guide:

Indiana would be irresponsible if it didn’t at least look at whether there is a need for a proposed highway that would connect Interstate 94 in northwestern Indiana with Interstate 57 in Illinois, the state Department of Transportation commissioner said Feb.7 .

Karl Browning said if the state doesn’t take a close look now at building the Illiana Expressway to try to relieve traffic in northwest Indiana, the Borman Expressway (Interstate 80/94) likely will have the same traffic tie-ups in a decade that it faced before undergoing recent improvements.

Tech Tags: Illiana, Illiana+Toll+Road+Expressway, CAPIT, SB1, Indiana+Senate+Bill+1, Transportation, Interstate, Highway, Northwest+Indiana

Will Hobart & Merrillville Businesses Suffer If Illiana Is Built?

While the economic benefits of the Illiana Expressway Toll Road are touted by supporters, naysayers predict declines in businesses currently located in the vicinity of I-65 and U.S. 30:

From the CAPIT No Illiana Toll Road message board (free Yahoo membership required):

Look what happened to Gary after I-65 was built in the late 60's--everything moved to I-65 and Rt. 30. ...

A local engineering company, long time NIRPC meeting attendee on the pro road side told me the US 30 and I-65 development would eventually move down to the Illiana after a NIRPC meeting recently.

Hobart and Merrillville should wake up before this becomes their fate. Portage, Michigan City, and other communities aren't safe from disinvestment either. ...

Would the Illiana Toll Road Expressway cause divestment from the I-65 / U.S. 30 areas?

It's a good question because everyone in Lake County supports strengthening the economy in all parts of the county. The key question for Lake County residents and leaders is whether the Illiana Expressway Toll Road can bring more economic development that benefits the whole county, without harming the northern areas.

Would the fact that the Illiana Expressway would be a toll road mitigate the risk by encouraging motorists to stay on the highway until they reached their desired destinations -- whether they are arriving home in Northwest Indiana from their job in Illinois, driving a truck delivering goods to a distribution center, or passing through on their way to New York from California or Toronto to Memphis?

Tech Tags: Illiana, Illiana+Toll+Road+Expressway, CAPIT, SB1, Indiana+Senate+Bill+1, Transportation, Interstate, Highway, Northwest+Indiana

A CAPIT Westville Meeting Report

George Malis from CAPIT's No Illiana Toll Road message board (free Yahoo subscription req'd) reports about the anti-Illiana meeting earlier this week in Westville:

Many boxes of letters got mailed to legislators
as a result of the organized campaign.

Hundreds of petitions were signed and turned in.

Lots of t-shirts and yard signs were sold.

Citizens donated hard earned cash to help hold
the Governor to his word of NOT pursuing the Illiana
proposal if it's NOT wanted.

The citizens at the Westville meeting spoke loud
and clear regarding the proposed toll road:
WE DON'T WANT IT,
WE DON'T NEED IT,
WE WON'T USE IT.

The message was also heard 1st hand by
the Mayor of LaPorte and the LaPorte State Rep.
Emotions ran high and expressions of
elected officials "lack of representation"
spoken.

Tech Tags: Illiana, Illiana+Toll+Road+Expressway, CAPIT, SB1, Indiana+Senate+Bill+1, Transportation, Interstate, Highway, Northwest+Indiana

Citizens Against The Privatized Illiana Toll Road To Meet Tonight

Citizens Against The Illiana Privatized Toll Road is holding a meeting tonight at Westville High School at 7 p.m.

Tech Tags: Illiana+Expressway Illiana Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road Indiana+Senate+Bill+1 Interstate Transportation Public+Private+Toll+Roads

No-Illiana CAPIT Group Meeting 3-22

Just a FYI: Citizens Against the Private Illiana Toll Road will be meeting at Westville High School March 22 at 7 p.m., according to their message board at No-Illiana-Tollroad.com.

Tags: CAPIT No-Illiana Illiana Illiana+Expressway Illiana+Legislation Illiana+Toll+Road