Illiana Expressway plan signed into law

The Illiana Expressway bill garnered Gov. Mitch Daniels' signature on Thursday.

The law will allow the state to enter in a public-private partnership to build and develop the Illiana Expressway.

The road would connect Interstate 65 in Indiana with Interstate 57 or Interstate 55 in Illinois, but the exact route hasn't been determined.

A private company would operate the expressway as a toll road, but the state would retain ownership of the land. Illinois-based investment and insurance company Ullico has expressed interest at financing the construction of the road.

The bill also authorizes a public-private partnership project for bridges over the Ohio River.

State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, said the project will spur economic development and job creation.

"With this proposal signed into law today, we are one step closer to creating thousands of jobs for Hoosiers," Charbonneau said.

Charbonneau said nearly $5 billion in potential new highway and bridge projects -- paid for without tax dollars -- are included in this bill.

"We can help boost the state's economy, provide jobs and make Indiana's roads and bridges safer by investing in this infrastructure," he said.

Daniels said public-private partnership financing is the only practical means of making the project happen.

"While other states are shuttering their highway programs, Indiana is shattering all records for infrastructure investment, and this could extend that record with enormous benefit to Hoosiers at opposite corners of our state," Daniels said.

The governor is interested in a bi-state commission with Illinois to handle the construction, and he plans to meet with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to discuss the project.

A similar commission was established for the Ohio River bridges spanning into Kentucky. Daniels appointed several members to the unpaid positions. They would be assisted by the Indiana Department of Transportation.