STATEHOUSE (March 2, 2010) - State Sen. Ed Charbonneau’s proposal allowing a public-private partnership to be used to build and develop the Illiana Expressway garnered final approval from Senate lawmakers today by a 42-0 vote.

Senate Bill 382 will now be sent to the governor’s office where it could be signed into law.

“Many individuals were involved in passing this piece of legislation, which is clearly the jobs bill of this session,” said Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso).

Charbonneau said the proposal authorizing a bypass connecting Interstate 65 in Lake County with Interstate 55 in Illinois contains provisions that will spur economic development and create jobs.

“Nearly $5 billion in potential new highway projects - paid for without tax dollars - are included in this bill,” Charbonneau said. “Investing in Indiana’s road and bridge infrastructure can help boost the state’s economy and create thousands upon thousands of jobs while making roads and bridges safer.”

This legislation authorizes a private company to build and operate the expressway as a toll road, but the state would forever own the land underneath the road. The bill also authorizes a public-private partnership project for bridges over the Ohio River.

Sen. Charbonneau represents Senate District 5, which includes Starke County and portions of Porter, LaPorte, Marshall, Jasper, Pulaski, and St. Joseph counties.

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