Tolling I-65, I-70 across Indiana

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is taking steps to potentially turn I-65 and I-70 into toll roads across the state and to expand each from four to six lanes.

A Request for Information (RFI) for Interstate Tolling and National Environmental Policy Act studies has been posted on the INDOT website.

According to the RFI, “House Enrolled Act 1002, signed by Governor Holcomb on April 27, 2017, requires the INDOT to perform feasibility studies and seek a Federal Highway Administration waiver to toll interstate highways. INDOT anticipates pursuing a broad interstate bridge tolling program under 23 U.S.C. 129.”

INDOT says the purpose of this RFI is, “To generate information to assist INDOT with planning an expeditious and effective tolling program deployment approach that can be expanded in a consistent manner.”

INDOT plans to advertise a Request For Proposals (RFP) to select several consultant teams to prepare environmental studies and other project development documentation for each of the following interstate corridors:

1. I-65 from I-90 to I-465
2. I-65 from I-465 to the Ohio River
3. I-70 from the Illinois State line to I-465
4. I-70 from I-465 to the Ohio State line
5. I-65 and I-70 within I-465
6. I-94 from the Illinois State line to the Michigan State line.

The proposed actions are reconstruction and tolling of applicable bridges within the corridors and expansion of the current four-lane roadway sections to six lanes.

Toll roads in Indiana are nothing new—the Indiana East-West Toll Road already runs approximately 157 miles from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line and has been in operation since 1956.

“Major Moves” was the name of a plan conceived by Governor Mitch Daniels and enacted by the Indiana General Assembly to lease the toll road for 75 years to an Australian-Spanish consortium for an upfront payment of $3.8 billion. The proceeds funded a portion of the extension of I-69 through southwestern Indiana as well as a number of other highway projects throughout the state.

Income from this new toll road project would potentially help manage and upgrade Indiana roads and bridges.