By RFD Radio/WFMB
SPRINGFIELD – Will the drive in and out of Chicago for hundreds of thousands possibly get a little better?
Gov. Bruce Rauner wants lawmakers to move forward on a plan that would build additional lanes on Interstate 55 otherwise known as the Stevenson. The catch is they would be for paying motorists only. The future I-55 would have a toll lane each way, only drivers that were willing to pay.
Rauner says the go-ahead needs to be approved this week to secure private funding needed for the project.
“The project that we are proposing is one that will not cost taxpayers any money at all and the great news is no commuter that uses I-55 today will have to pay any tolls at all,” Rauner said. “They can use the regular lanes.”
Approval wouldn’t seem likely this week.
House Speaker Mike Madigan said that he hasn’t seen enough information about the project to move it forward.
“Our concern with private investors being involved in a toll lane is that, once again, it seems as though Governor Rauner is more interested in helping his wealthy friends,” Madigan said in a statement. “Despite multiple requests for information over several months, IDOT hasn’t prepared a plan that would lay out the costs, results, and anticipated tolls. IDOT hasn’t provided any evidence demonstrating that this project will save taxpayer dollars or result in better maintained roads. We continue to await this information.”
IDOT said the project should cost about $425 million.
