Earlier this year, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels caved to pressure to abandon his sweeping plan to build the Illiana Expressway as an outer ring around the Chicago area.

Instead, the General Assembly approved a two-year feasibility study for a much shorter stretch of road, connecting Interstate 57 to Interstate 65 in southern Lake County. That study includes all kinds of financing for the road.

That study is just starting, but already critics are complaining about the shortened route.

"This really doesn't do anything for the tax base of Lake County, and it really doesn't do anything for jobs in Lake County," Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Schererville, said last week.

Scheub is worried about the new expressway's effect on northern Lake County. He has proposed a version of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive for Lake County.

Scheub isn't the only person who has voiced criticism of the shorter version of the Illiana Expressway. Already, opponents are lining up against the Illiana.

Their criticism is premature, however.

What we need next are the facts, not rumors, suppositions and fears.

Indiana has hired Cambridge Systematics to conduct the Illiana Expressway study. Cambridge must study the economic benefits and costs of building the new road.

We already know the Borman Expressway needs relief fast. We know traffic will continue to grow. Let's look at the bottom line for congestion relief and other quality of life issues and, of course, at how much the road would cost and what would be required to pay for it.

State Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, heads the Illiana study oversight panel. She hopes to schedule a public hearing in December for folks in the region to comment. Initial financing estimates should be received by then.

Let's see what the study determines before attempting to shoot down the proposal. Let facts and logic guide the decisions on the new road.

Your opinion, please

Is it too early to oppose the shortened version of the Illiana Expressway?

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