Residents voice concern about Illiana plan

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BY MELANIE CSEPIGA
Times Correspondent | Friday, March 02, 2007 | (No comments posted.)

LOWELL | About 130 people came out Thursday to learn more about the proposed Illiana Expressway and express their opposition, at least with the route they've seen so far.

At the outset, West Creek Township Trustee/Assessor Rick Niemeyer let the crowd know that the gathering he organized was neither for nor against the expressway, but informational only. He urged the crowd to respect the opinions of others.

Lowell Town Council President Phillip Kuiper, D-4th, said the fact that a bill on the issue has already passed the state Senate and is headed to committee in the House is frightening to him.

"It seems like there's a bit of a fast track on this. That scares me," he said. "We give our input. I hope it means something."

State Rep. Don Lehe said he has not made up his mind about the issue and there is a long way to go in the process.

"It's not a done deal," Lehe said.

He said there would be more opportunities for the public to offer input.

Ryan Hoff, of the Indiana Department of Transportation, explained the process and answered questions.

When a resident said the plan to alleviate congestion on the Borman Expressway with the proposed Illiana project won't work because truckers don't want to pay high tolls or travel extra miles, the crowd offered support. When he added that the way to reduce congestion on the Borman is to remove the tolls on Interstate 90, the crowd applauded.

"You may be right, but we want to study it to see," Hoff said.

Lowell Town Councilman David Gard, D-5th, said Lowell had not been included in the earlier talks on the topic.

"Our neighbors to the north have been involved in the process," he said, referring to Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake officials have publicly supported the route, which would travel between the two towns.

"If this is just one of several proposed routes, where are the rest of them?" Gard asked.

Hoff said the "blue line" route that has been shown on maps was generated by the long-range planning office of INDOT. He said the public can expect to see the route change as more information is gathered.

Both Kuiper and Gard purchased "No Illiana Tollroad" signs that were for sale by members of the Porter County-based Citizens Against Privatized Illiana Toll Road, or CAPIT.

Dave Ahlberg, of CAPIT, said despite Hoff's statement the bill now in the House would give the nod for studies to determine the feasibility of the Illiana Expressway, it gives Gov. Mitch Daniels "carte blanche."

Several people asked about compensation for family farms that are in the current route's path and about eminent domain, voicing their worries that their lives will be turned upside down by the planned highway.

Niemeyer said he wants to be certain that people downstate know how residents feel in the areas that will be affected.

"I hope this won't be dictated by outside concerns, by people that don't live here," he said.

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