Times Staff Report

An expressway to Indiana may be the next challenge for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

Earlier this week, Tollway Board member Jim Roolf floated an idea to launch an exploratory committee to consider an Illiana Expressway. Roolf wants to act now after the Authority's recent success opening the Interstate 355 south extension between Bolingbrook and New Lenox.

If formed the committee would work with the Indiana and Illinois departments of transportation to research ways to build the proposed expressway connecting Interstate 65 near Crown Point and Interstate 57 near Crete.

Crete Village President Michael Einhorn, who has been working on plans for the Illiana Expressway for eight years, said the Authority's interest is welcome news.

"I'm a big, big supporter. It can't be built soon enough to suit me."

Einhorn sees the expressway as way to reduce congestion and allow for smoother travel from east to west.

A vote on the exploratory committee will likely take place at the Dec. 20 board meeting, according to tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis.