EDITORIAL: Let facts, logic guide decision on shorter Illiana Expressway

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| Wednesday, October 03, 2007 | (7 comment(s))

Earlier this year, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels caved to pressure to abandon his sweeping plan to build the Illiana Expressway as an outer ring around the Chicago area.

Instead, the General Assembly approved a two-year feasibility study for a much shorter stretch of road, connecting Interstate 57 to Interstate 65 in southern Lake County. That study includes all kinds of financing for the road.

That study is just starting, but already critics are complaining about the shortened route.

"This really doesn't do anything for the tax base of Lake County, and it really doesn't do anything for jobs in Lake County," Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Schererville, said last week.

Scheub is worried about the new expressway's effect on northern Lake County. He has proposed a version of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive for Lake County.

Scheub isn't the only person who has voiced criticism of the shorter version of the Illiana Expressway. Already, opponents are lining up against the Illiana.

Their criticism is premature, however.

What we need next are the facts, not rumors, suppositions and fears.

Indiana has hired Cambridge Systematics to conduct the Illiana Expressway study. Cambridge must study the economic benefits and costs of building the new road.

We already know the Borman Expressway needs relief fast. We know traffic will continue to grow. Let's look at the bottom line for congestion relief and other quality of life issues and, of course, at how much the road would cost and what would be required to pay for it.

State Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, heads the Illiana study oversight panel. She hopes to schedule a public hearing in December for folks in the region to comment. Initial financing estimates should be received by then.

Let's see what the study determines before attempting to shoot down the proposal. Let facts and logic guide the decisions on the new road.

Your opinion, please

Is it too early to oppose the shortened version of the Illiana Expressway?

Share your thoughts at http://nwi.com/opinion

Your opinion, please
Is it too early to oppose the shortened version of the Illiana Expressway?
Share your thoughts at nwi.com/opinion.

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Why Not wrote on Oct 15, 2007 1:12 PM:

" Why not connect the western side of South Bend through LaPorte, Porter and Lake counties, then I-57 and eventualy to the I-355 extention. The new road would be a large I-355 loop from west of O'hare to South Bend. Any thoughts? "

ltjoanie wrote on Oct 3, 2007 1:14 PM:

" I have tried driving west on US 30, I-80/94, and the Toll Road. The traffic congestion is awful. Who are the morons who opposed the longer version? Governor Daniels needs to ignore the special interests of some of the corrupt elements in NW Indiana and do what is right instead. "

DME wrote on Oct 3, 2007 11:05 AM:

" This editorial writer must have a crystal ball into the future of traffic. Additionally, there is no such thing as premature criticism when it come to government spending. What is wrong with a 12 or 16 lane Borman? When I was a child it was 4 lane (2 in each direction). Now it is 8 lane. As demand gets greater, make it wider! And, let's not loose sight of the real reason for Illina... to service the Crete, IL intermodial, and the Peoria, IL Lincoln Airport would come to mind. Urban sprawl at its best. "

YT wrote on Oct 3, 2007 10:18 AM:

" If you build it they will come! "

Patricia Czerwonke wrote on Oct 3, 2007 10:05 AM:

" Has anyone ever thought of the idea of making the Borman a tollroad. Maybe then they would use the Indiana tollroad more. That highway seems to be less traveled, and already exists. Has anyone ever studied that idea? "

Former Regionite wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:30 AM:

" A "Lake Shore Drive" for Indiana? Would that include ALL the stoplights? If Gerry Scheub ever had a GOOD idea I'm sure it died of loneliness. "

TW wrote on Oct 3, 2007 5:58 AM:

" I don't understand the fear of just another road. "

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