The Indiana Senate has begun its examination of the House-approved $3.85 billion highway initiative pushed forward by Gov. Mitch Daniels. That's appropriate, given the size the package and the fact that it represents a whole new way for Indiana to do business. And the senators have some time before the sweeping measure must be approved.
However, we find it a bit troubling that among the suggested changes by some senators, one is to eliminate for this year the language that would allow for lease/tolls to build and operate Interstate 69.
Two key Republican senators have talked of taking I-69 out of "Major Moves" consideration during this session.
Sen. Robert Meeks, R-Lagrange, chairman of the Appropriations Committee which is hearing the highway bill, said he may pull the enabling legislation for the privatization of I-69 from the massive highway bill, reports Jennifer Whitson of the Courier & Press Indianapolis bureau. Meeks did say the state's timetable would influence his decision.
And another, Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, suggested getting an offer for I-69, before coming back to the Legislature - presumably next year - for consideration of the project.
But that's not how the overall highway plan has been sold to Hoosiers and to lawmakers. It was sold as an initiative that would see the completion of more than 200 highway projects, including the Hoosier Heartland highway between Lafayette and Fort Wayne, the modernization of U.S. 31 between South Bend and Indianapolis, the construction of two Ohio River bridges, and the timely construction of the I-69 extension.
Under the Indiana Department of Transportation's timetable, based on the highway legislation passing this year, construction on I-69 would begin in 2008, which is 10 years sooner than now said to be possible through conventional means. But that requires that the legislation give the Daniels administration the latitude to negotiate with private companies.
We presume that if the enabling language for I-69 is pulled and legislative action is delayed until 2007, the timetable would have to be moved back.
Supporters of I-69 have been patient; after all, they and their parents and grandparents have talked about the construction of this highway for more than 50 years. But now that it seems both close and doable, some members of the Legislature have the idea of perhaps delaying it while all other projects under Daniels' highway plan go forward. That would be unconscionable. There is a concern, as well, about how far private highway companies will stretch their revenues. No doubt the whopping $3.85 billion that a Spanish/Australian consortium offered Indiana for the operation of the Indiana Toll Road has opened the eyes of other cash-strapped states. A year's delay on I-69 is a year that privatization dollars could be lost to other states.
Daniels has moved Indiana to the front of the pack on the privatization of state infrastructure. The potential for jobs, for economic growth, for the development of Indiana as the nation's transportation crossroads, for a modern highway system for Hoosier motorists is at hand.
But it requires that the Indiana Senate, after due deliberation, allow the full highway initiative - including 1-69 between Evansville and Indianapolis - to move forward.