Indiana Commerce Connector proponents, foes sound off at Senate hearing

By ANNIE GOELLER, Daily Journal of Johnson County staff writer

Supporters of a proposed toll road through central Indiana outnumbered landowners and residents who oppose the project at a hearing Tuesday when legislators started analyzing the proposal.

About 30 people spoke about the proposed beltway, with the majority favoring it. Everyone who spoke in favor of the proposed Indiana Commerce Connector represented a government agency or an organization, such as engineer or carpenter unions or a county economic development group.

More than 10 residents and a member of an environmental group spoke against the toll road.

Supporters, including the Johnson County Development Corp., said the project would bring jobs and economic development to the state and relieve traffic. A handful of officials and groups from southwest Indiana said they support the beltway because it would help the state build the Interstate 69 extension between Indianapolis and Evansville.

Three Franklin residents spoke against the bill and asked legislators to either get more information before approving the route or not approve the project at all.

At least two lawmakers are considering amendments in relation to opponents' concerns that the proposal is going before legislators too early in the process and won't require any more approvals.

Residents brought up concerns including the types of businesses that would locate along the toll road, the changes a beltway would bring to their areas, and whether the project would truly relieve traffic congestion, as state officials have said.

A Franklin resident said she came to the meeting hoping her words will sway legislators considering the bill.

"I believe if we speak up enough we can make a difference," Rebecca Morrison said.

Morrison told the committee she was speaking for other people who are too intimidated to come to the Statehouse and address legislators.

"If it's not my place, it's somebody else's, and I don't want that to go through anyone who doesn't want it," she said.

She avoids toll roads and wondered what would stop trucks from using Interstate 465 once the toll road were built. She worried about how much farmland would be taken by the project and whether businesses, other than truck stops and fast food restaurants, actually would build near the highway.

"I don't want an experiment running through my area," she said.

Morrison asked legislators not to approve the bill.

Other opponents asked the committee to postpone a decision until more information is available.

Legislators and residents need more facts before the project is approved because the information given out so far was from state officials and the governor trying to sell the project, said Gary Moody, a Franklin resident who spoke against the toll road.

"What people need are facts and not hype," Moody said.

Residents worried about the state giving up control of a highway and urged legislators to study other forms of transportation than roads.

Sandra Tokarski, a member of a group called Citizens for Appropriate Rural Roads, asked legislators questions about the future of the road, such as what will happen with tolls and whether the governor will have the ability to lease other roads to private companies.

She said that the toll road won't relieve congestion, or else a private company couldn't make money.

"Toll roads do not help congestion. They manipulate it for profit," she said.

The leader of an environmental organization, along with a few residents, urged landowners to study other forms of transportation to solve traffic issues.

State officials need to look at rail systems and mass transportation, instead of only planning more and bigger roads, said Tim Maloney, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council.

"Show us the facts and figures and let's take a look at a more balanced transportation system," he said.

Committee members listened to more than an hour of testimony from opponents of the project after listening to more than 20 supporters, including town council members, mayors and members of organizations throughout the state.

Groups including engineer and carpenter unions, economic development corporations and chambers of commerce supported the route because they believe it will bring jobs to the state.

A few others, from parts of the state such as Pike County and Petersburg, support the toll road because of the money that will pay to construct I-69.

Alycia Church, executive director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, said the county was in support of a toll free I-69 because it would help the entire state.

"We're in full support. We've waited far too long," she said.

The committee did not vote on the bill Tuesday but plans to vote next week.