A study about the proposed llliana Expressway -- the truncated version, not the full length -- is nearly done, and the early results look promising.

It is apparent the road must be built as a toll road, either under the state's control or, more likely, under the control of a private corporation, like the Indiana Toll Road.

Of course, it would be great if the road were to become a freeway, with trucks and other vehicles able to zip along with no tolls charged against them.

But that scenario just isn't realistic. Indiana is not flush with cash, although its fiscal situation is not bad compared to some nearby states.

Indiana's gas tax revenue is tied to the price, not the gallon, and the price of gas has dipped below $2 in many locations across the state. That means less money is available for new projects.

There's Major Moves money from the lease of the Indiana Toll Road, but not enough of that money is available to build the Illiana Expressway.

Another option is a public-private partnership, with a private corporation footing the bill for construction of the road in exchange for the right to manage the road and collect the tolls for a determined period of time.

Building the highway as a toll road, with private dollars pulling the freight, so to speak, for its construction might be the right way to go.

The current plan is for the Illiana to stretch from I-65 in Indiana to I-57 in Illinois, providing a southern route for truck traffic, especially. Ultimately it would link to become part of I-355 which begins near Schaumburg northwest of Chicago.

This new road will help ease the crowding on the Borman Expressway. When the Borman was closed because of flooding -- twice in two years -- the result was disastrous. Truck traffic passing through the area mingled with the normal heavy flow of cars using U.S. 30 and other local roads.

We hope the flooding problem will be resolved soon, but bad weather or an accident could shut down the Borman, too. Having alternatives is essential.

We eagerly await the final report from this initial study so the project can advance.