Indiana's Gov Daniels drops plans for most of two tollroads

Daniels at map of Indiana Commerce Connector Illiana Expressway route. All that is left is the small segment near the red star.

Indiana's Governor Mitch Daniels has dropped plans for most of two tollroads he announced last Nov 9. He said in a letter to legislators that there wasn't the necessary public support and suggested some further research, but no further action for now except on a segment near the Illinois border.

Portion of his letter reads: "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... the people of the affected areas have spoken clearly enough to persuade me that these ideas are, at best, premature."

Hints of withdrawal

Daniels has been hinting in the past couple of weeks in meetings that he might back away from plans for the two roads, saying he wasn't going to impose them if local people were against them.

Dropped completely is his Indiana Commerce Connector an outer belt route around the east and south sides of the Indianapolis area.

Illiana west of I-65 to Illinois still supported

The only remaining work is Illiana Expressway west of I-65.

Daniels says: "an Illiana bypass from I-65 west seems to be broadly supported and can, I hope, be given the chance to move forward."

Omitting east of I-65 omits about 80% of the length of the Illiana Expressway in Indiana, leaving only about 15km (9mi) to the Illinois line. There was iittle movement on the project in Illinois beyond support for studies as far west as I-57.

Daniels letter concludes: "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."

I-69 in limbo

It is unclear where this leaves I-69 in the southwest of the state. Daniels backed down on earlier plans to finance this with tolls when he announced the INCC and Illiana initiatives and the legislature acceded to his request to transfer tolling authority and concession powers to these projects and away from I-69. He was hoping concession fees on the INCC and Illiana would allow I-69 to be built without tolls.

TOLLROADSnews 2007-03-24