Daniels: It’s a toll road or else
Gov. Mitch Daniels’ decision to turn I-69, the proposed extension between Indianapolis and Evansville, into a toll road was met with skepticism from many of the state’s lawmakers. But when asked about the possibility of keeping the roads free, Daniels suggested in that instance it wouldn’t be built at all:
“If for some reason we were not successful with this initiative, at least half the projects on the books won’t happen in any reasonable time frame. People who want to take a position of reflective opposition need to start explaining which half they don’t care about.”
As the Indianapolis Star notes in its article on the subject, the state’s $74.2 million less than expected tax revenue over the next year and a half reinforces Daniels’ argument. Nevertheless, it is unclear how much the tolls would cost and what impact they would have on surrounding free roads.
Most Evansville residents and citizens of Southern Indiana (with the exception of many in Bloomington) would agree that Interstate 69 should have been built years ago. Our friends to the north in Fort Wayne need only imagine Allen County without I-69 to understand the position Evansville and other southwestern Indiana residents are in. Besides mere convenience and cultural connections to the state capital, a quick look at economic development in Allen County makes clear that much of its growth has occurred along the interstate. I-69 should’ve been built decades ago, and if it takes a toll road to get it done, I for one am willing to take the bitter with the sweet.
