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