OOIDA Call to Action – Indiana members
February 26, 2010

Attention: Indiana truckers! There is still time to make your opinion known on a bill in the Indiana statehouse that would authorize a private group to build and operate the Illiana Expressway in exchange for toll revenue.

Indiana law now prohibits tolling or privatization of the proposed roadway. As currently proposed, it is to be a 23-mile state highway built to interstate standards to connect Interstate 65 in Northwest Indiana with Interstate 57 in Illinois south of Chicago.

However, the clock is ticking. The Indiana Senate could take up for consideration as soon as Monday, March 1, the bill – SB382 – to remove the restrictions on tolling and privatization. As approved by the state’s House this week, the bill would authorize a public-private partnership to complete the proposed Illiana Expressway.

Added on the House floor is a provision that would also authorize a public-private partnership project for bridges over the Ohio River connecting Indiana and Kentucky. In addition, the Indiana DOT would study high-speed rail for northern Indiana.

Other provisions included in the bill would make the following changes:

• The state would be required to perform an economic impact study before issuing a request for public-private partnership proposals.
• A public hearing would be required concerning the study on proposed projects.
• An environmental analysis would be required once an agreement with a public-private partnership is reached.
• A public hearing would be required to discuss the agreement.

Please take the time NOW to contact your Senate lawmaker to share your view on SB382. You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 800-444-5791 and they will look up the contact information for you.