Dead End
By: Web Producer
Updated: March 26, 2007
Governor Withdraws Plans For Indiana Commerce Connector, Part Of Illiana Expressway Project
The governor is dropping his proposal to build a privately-run toll road in central Indiana and scaling back a proposal to build a privately-run toll road in northwestern Indiana.
Governor Mitch Daniels proposal to build the 75-mile Indiana Commerce Connector around the far southern and eastern sides of Indianapolis has faced strong opposition from the public during a series of hearings over the past few weeks.
Daniels says in a letter to key lawmakers on Saturday, "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." Daniels is still proposing to build a shorter Illiana Expressway linking I-65 to the Illinois State line.
House Speaker Pat Bauer says Daniels toll road plans could possibly be studied by lawmakers over the summer.
A public hearing on Thursday in Shelby County brought around 15-hundred people to Hoosier Park, most of them in opposition to the project.
The governors letter does not address a future funding plan for part of the planned I-69 extension between Indianapolis and Evansville, which would have been funded along some sections through revenue raised from the lease of the Indiana Commerce.
