Illiana one step away from going to governor

Mar 2, 2010 — The Times

Dan Carden

Mar. 2, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Senate is poised to take a final vote this week that would send legislation authorizing the Illiana Expressway to the governor.

State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, told The Times on Monday he is planning to ask the Senate to agree to the changes made by the House to Senate Bill 382.

"Let's just get it done," said Charbonneau, the Senate sponsor of the Illiana proposal.

In its version of the legislation, the House voted to require additional public hearings, set eminent domain rules and add environmental mandates to the proposal. It would permit a public-private partnership to be used to build the Illiana Expressway as a toll road connecting Interstate 65 in southern Lake County with Interstate 55 in Illinois.

At the same time, the House also tacked on an additional public-private partnership project for Ohio River bridges and agreed to study high-speed rail lines in the South Bend and Fort Wayne areas.

The Senate does not have to agree to the House changes. Charbonneau is allowed to request a conference committee be formed to come up with revised legislation acceptable to both chambers.

On Monday, Charbonneau said the prospect of $5 billion in potential new highway projects, paid for without tax dollars, is enough for him to be willing to go along with the House version.

The Senate approved the original Illiana legislation 48-0 in January.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0129-42493850