Critics say governor's I-69 privatization risky

INDIANAPOLIS -- Critics of Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan to privatize and put tolls on the Interstate 69 extension say the plan is risky and won't work.\nA group of I-69 critics -- spearheaded by the Hoosier Environmental Council, which has long opposed the highway -- said Monday that Daniels' new plan puts profits before citizens.\n"The questions about funding reinforce what we've been saying all along: that we don't have the money to do this," said Tim Maloney, who heads the environmental council. "And I think this talk of privatization and tolling just brings this into sharper focus."\nOpponents of the project say none of the previous feasibility studies for the planned highway recommended making it a toll road. They cite an environmental impact study that stated proposals to put tolls on the road were not recommended "because the road would not be financially feasible as a toll road."\nDaniels said last week that to generate more funds he wants to make the new I-69 a tollway and privatize both that stretch of I-69 and the Indiana Toll Road in the northern part of the state. Daniels also wants to raise fees on the Indiana Toll Road.\nThe I-69 tolls and leasing would require legislative approval, as would leasing the Toll Road.\nDaniels has said his plan would boost commerce through a top-tier highway system, and said similar plans have worked elsewhere.\nOther states have privatized roads with mixed results, The Indianapolis Star reported Monday.\nIn most cases, privatization has led to an almost immediate increase in tolls. Highways in California and Colorado have been plagued by maintenance issues, while other privatization deals have ended in deeper levels of debt for taxpayers.\nState Sen. Brent Waltz, R-Greenwood, said the governor's idea to privatize the new part of I-69 was "intriguing." But he said any deal should be scrutinized thoroughly, and said he opposed Daniels' plan to make I-69 a toll road.\n"People have been wondering for years how this thing would be paid for," Waltz said. "And, frankly, none of the funding options would be very good"