The Interstate Commerce Connector lives on

Thank goodness for Taking Down Words. Between work, writing some articles and starting another blog, I have not been able to write anything on this subject. I probably ought to be embarrassed by this. I think this is the most important state initiative in the area. As I also think it barely rates being described as a crock, I should have been doing better. I started this on January 20 so some of it may be a bit dated.

There is a new website on the Governor's toll road proposals. Again, kudos to Taking Down Words for pointing the way. Alltollded.com has a page for the ICC called Indy Bypass Toll Road.

TDW provided the pointer to article by the Indianapolis Star's Matt Tully: Mass transit gets stuck in slow lane at Statehouse. Madison County got a mention besides Senator Lanane:

Jerrold Bridges, with the Madison County Council of Governments, traveled from Anderson to support Lanane's bill. He said many areas competing with Indianapolis for life-science jobs are far ahead when it comes to public transportation.

He pointed to air quality benefits, economic development potential around rail stops and young workers who enjoy walkable cities where your car doesn't dictate your life.

"It's a competitive issue, as well as a quality-of-life issue," Bridges said.

I would suggest that there is no great distinction between the competitive issues and the quality-of-life-issues. Also, I suggest reading the TDW post, especially the comments. I got to admit that I find myself annoyed by the myopic view of some but there is a comment about costs that has not been rebutted.

I am glad to see our Senator Lanane getting behind this idea. I know that he has been interested in the idea for the past few years.

I found this on Matt Tully's blog:

Paging Bart Peterson

Posted by Matt Tully

The most interesting part of yesterday's Senate committee hearing on the new suburban Indianapolis toll road came when Sen. Jean Breaux spoke up.

"I'm curious why there would be no one representing Marion County in the discussion," she said, about planning for the new toll road.

Committee Chairman Thomas Wyss looked stunned, saying, "This is economic development at its best." He argued the new bypass would be fantastic for Marion County. He was puzzled by the concern coming from Breaux, an Indianapolis Democrat. It was as if Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, had never even considered the idea that a toll road meant to spur development outside of Indianapolis could actually harm the city.

"We don't know that it's going to be economically beneficial," Breaux said.

She's right. But you really can't blame Wyss. After several weeks of debate about the new toll road, Mayor Bart Peterson has declined to express his support or opposition. Indianapolis isn't trying to be a player in this issue.

It's surprising that an Indianapolis mayor would stay out of a debate that could have an impact on the city for generations. But most believe Peterson either does not want to offend Gov. Mitch Daniels, or is certain Democratic House Speaker Pat Bauer will kill the idea when it moves to the House.

The Noblesville Ledger attended another of Gustin's road shows. I-69 needs attention, says resident.

We all know we need economic development. We all want economic development. So we are going to be susceptible to any offer of a better economy. However, the Governor has not shown one iota of fact to support his claim that this will benefit anyone other the company who gets the contract to build the road.

Compare the Governor's sales pitch with this from Alltolled:

This study concluded that, if a freeway were built to totally encircle Marion County, it would reduce traffic volume on the very NE corner of I-465 between I-69 and I-70 as well as the west and northern legs of I-465. It would also reduce traffic on I-69 between the new freeway and I-465 as well as traffic on SR 9. But, the freeway beltway would also increase traffic on I-70 between this new beltway and I-465.

The study further concluded: "These travel simulations indicated that most I-69 traffic was either destined for the Indianapolis region or would use I-465 to travel through the study area. The need for a new freeway bypass of Indianapolis to serve I-69 traffic was not indicated."