Indiana joins Illinois in suspending work on expressway

MUNSTER, Ind. (AP) - The Indiana Department of Transportation has officially joined Illinois in suspending work on a planned 47-mile expressway between the two states.

The move comes after new Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an executive order on Jan. 12 suspending planning and development of any major interstate construction projects pending a review of costs and benefits because of that state's deep budget problems.

The Times of Munster reported Tuesday (http://bit.ly/1y8Zld4 ) that a letter from INDOT project manager James Earl released to state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, states Indiana will halt all Illiana Expressway work until Illinois completes its review of the project.

The Illiana Expressway would link between Interstate 65 in Indiana and Interstate 55 in Illinois. It has a projected cost of $1.5 billion.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com