Legislators bridge gap on Toll Road

Lawmakers are expecting a $3.85 billion check if they approve the Major Moves transportation initiative today. But the numbers show they already have spent it and more. This does not count any interest the state might earn on some of the money while it sits in a bank account, nor the potential cost of pension protections in the bill.

$2.8 billion – to cover transportation shortfall and build hundreds of road projects

$500 million – goes into a transportation trust fund for future generations

$200 million – split between five counties along the Toll Road at $40 million each

$120 million – goes to the Northwest Regional Development Authority

$40 million – split between Lake and Porter counties – the remaining Toll Road counties

$278 million – cost of a quasi-toll freeze for commuters over the next 10 years

$150 million – distributed to all cities, towns and counties around the state for road projects

$125 million – retire Toll Road bonds after using Toll Road account reserves

Total: $4.213 billion