Gov. Mitch Daniels Thursday signed into law the bill to allow a public-private partnership to be used to build the Illiana Expressway.

The law allows a bypass connecting Interstate 65 in Lake County with Interstate 55 in Illinois.

In a statement today Daniels said, “The Illiana Expressway in northwest Indiana and the Ohio River Bridges in southeast Indiana are long-sought major infrastructure projects with the potential for significant economic impact. This bipartisan legislation enables the use of public-private partnership financing options, which are the only practical means of making them happen.”

Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) said in a statement “The development of the Illiana Expressway will have a profound effect on traffic congestion and roadway safety as our region continues to grow.”

Posted 3/19/2010