Groups Sue Over Indiana Toll-Road Transfer

Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

group of citizens and a citizens group have filed separate lawsuits against an Indiana law that would turn over the Indiana Toll Road to a foreign consortium, the Associated Press reported.

The state last week authorized a 75-year lease of the northern Indiana toll road to a private, Spanish-Australian consortium for $3.8 billion. (Click here for previous coverage.)

Bill Stant, the plaintiff in one of the suits, said he filed it to oppose the planned extension of Interstate 69 through southern Indiana., AP said.

Gov. Mitch Daniels’ (R) administration plans to a large part of the $3.8 billion to start construction of the I-69 project, AP said. The new law also allows Daniels to make a portion of that highway a toll road.

Administration officials have said they are confident the law and lease deal will withstand any legal challenges. They hope to close the transaction and transfer operations of the toll road to the private companies by June 30, AP reported.