Illinois desperate for Illiana highway

Unlike the heated opposition swelling in northwest Indiana, leaders in Illinois are clamoring for the Illiana bypass to be built as quickly as possible, according to The Times of Munster.

A meeting called in Porter County in Indiana earlier this month to discuss the project attracted 1,000, most of whom expressed deep reservations. Yet, Illinois lawmakers want the road built to relieve congestion on the Borman Expressway, which links the states, the newspaper reported.

Part of the reason Illinois is more open to the idea is that its section of the 63-mile highway wouldn’t be operated by a private company, as Gov. Mitch Daniels has proposed for Indiana.

The road would sweep south of the Chicago area and link Interstate 94 in Indiana to Interstate 57 in Illinois.

An Indiana bill that would allow the project to be studied is mired in the House after passing the Senate. Daniels said last week that public opposition to the Illiana and another toll road he has proposed, the Indiana Commerce Connector around the eastern and southern sides of Indianapolis, might force the projects to be delayed.