Controversy Over Toll Road Privatization Continues One Year Later

June 26, 2007

InsideIndianaBusiness.com Report

The Indiana Toll Road lease has been controversial from the start, but there have been a couple of disagreements even after the signing of the papers.

Soon after the lease took effect, Governor Daniels created a seven-member oversight board to monitor the ITR Concession Co.'s performance and to field any complaints from drivers. ITR says there was some complaining about long lines during construction of the new electronic tollbooths that opened Monday in northwest Indiana. However, oversight board members say they've received no complaints.

Tension with the Illinois Tollway Authority over electronic tolling has been defused. Indiana has set aside $60 million to give Hoosier drivers a discount for using the new I-Zoom transponder. ITR balked at giving Illinois drivers the same bargain. Illinois dangled the possibility of cutting off Indiana discounts on its toll roads. Two weeks ago, Indiana decided the discount fund was enough to cover everyone and backed down.

ITR has also angered some northern Indiana fire departments with a policy change on fuel spills and other hazardous material cleanups. When the state ran the road, it reimbursed fire departments after cleanups. ITR Spokesman Matthew Pierce says fire departments are now advised to bill the insurance of the responsible driver.

Elkhart Fire Chief Richard Snell says the money is more of a concern for township departments than for his own, but he'd like a better working relationship with ITR. "The safety of my men and my women is ultimate to me," Snell says. "When we have vehicles that travel as fast as they do on the toll road, that's the big dialogue I would like to have. I am coming, but what am I going to get for slowing down or shutting down traffic?"

Snell says there weren't many spills before and he hasn't been called to any in the first year under ITR.

Source: Inside INdiana Business and Network Indiana