STATEHOUSE - Rep. Randy Borror (R-Fort Wayne) voted in support of Senate Bill (SB) 382 today to allow the construction of the Illiana Expressway without any legislative approval. The bill passed out of the House by a 89-6 vote. SB 382 authorizes, but does not require, a public-private partnership to build the Illiana Expressway as a toll road. The plan calls to build the Illiana between Interstate 65 in Indiana with Interstate 57 in Illinois with about 10 miles being built in Indiana. Under the legislation, the state would have the ability to contract with a private developer for the design and construction of the Illiana Expressway. Currently, Indiana law states the governor, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), or an operator, may not approve the location of a tollway or a toll road without the approval of the Indiana General Assembly. Indiana law also requires the preparation of an economic impact study before a request for proposals and also a public hearing concerning the study on the proposed project before any building can begin. It is estimated that every $100 million in highway construction supports 1,200-1,900 construction jobs. In the end, the Illiana project would bring in $600 million and approximately 11,400 construction jobs "It's critical that we move along with plans on the construction of the Illiana Expressway," said Rep. Borror. "The creation of the Illiana Express could stimulate economic growth, create a tremendous amount of jobs and address traffic congestion around the Borman Expressway and I-80/I-94 in Indiana." |
