Proposed Expressway Debated at Public Hearing | Indy's News Center - 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis

By Taylor Bennett/Network Indiana
2/19/2010

Members of an Indiana House committee debating a bill concerning the proposed Illiana Expressway held a public hearing Thursday night in northwest Indiana.

The public-private partnership concept would help build and run a 23-mile toll road between I-57 in Illinois and I-65 in Indiana.

A preliminary start date for construction of the Illiana would be 2017.

State Representative Chet Dobis of Merrillville says this is the only bill on the table this legislative session that would create jobs.

It's estimated that 40 construction jobs are created for every $1 million dollars in road construction.

Supporters say the Illiana Expressway would ease backups on the Borman Expressway, but others worry it could create more stress on smaller side roads by people who stay off the highway because they don’t want to pay a toll.

Eric Kreig of Munster opposes the Illiana Expressway project, saying it's all about taxes rather than job creation.

» Lawmakers Promote Illiana Expressway Bill (2-18-10)

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