Hearings To Be Held Regarding Toll Roads

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(STATEHOUSE) - The house will kick off a series of at least five hearings next week on Governor Daniels’ proposed new toll roads.

Roads and transportation chairman Terri Austin (D-Anderson) says she'll take public testimony Thursday in Pendleton, then continue with four more hearings around the arc of Daniels' proposed Indiana commerce connector.

Additional hearings are scheduled for March 20 in Martinsville, March 22 at the Indiana downs racetrack in Shelby County, March 26 in Franklin and March 28 in Greenfield.

Austin says she anticipates a committee vote on the proposal, but isn't guaranteeing one. The senate voted 36-13 to let the state explore whether private companies would be interested in building the road from Pendleton to the Indianapolis Airport, and the Illiana Expressway through northwest Indiana. 28 of the 33 republican senators supported the proposal, while the 16 democrats who cast votes split down the middle.

Austin says she wants to know more about how communities along the roads would be affected. Opponents have questioned Daniels' plan to let private firms build and run the road, and the lack of binding legislative oversight if the bill is approved.

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