Indiana Notes

[I-55]

As an Indiana resident, I'm a proponent for tolling all three of I-65, I-70, and I-94. There is simply too much traffic in the state that we do not have the taxpaying base to fund infrastructure for. The budget shortfalls are affecting far more than just interstates, as local grants have begun to suffer from the same lack of state funding, delaying projects even further. The interstates in question will require several billions of dollars to attain adequate condition.

Rough calculations (assuming 45k average AADT on rural portions of I-65 and I-70, at 7 cents per VMT for all vehicles) yields about $1.1 million per mile each year in tolling revenue, or close to $350 million accumulated per year on rural I-70/I-65, give or take $25 million for trucks and/or lower AADT. I-94 would accumulate close to $4-5 million per mile per year between I-65 and the IL state line, resulting in about $50 million per year in income, give or take $10 million. Put that all together and you're looking at around $400 million dollars per year in projects on those 3 routes, with taxpayer funding freed up from those roads to fund other projects around the state.

Tolling I-94 could also increase the attractiveness of taking the ITR/Skyway into downtown Chicago over Borman/Kingery/Bishop Ford. Granted, the toll rate would still be 10x higher on the Skyway, but people traveling from out of area might not know that.

[cjw2001]

Looks like Indiana has submitted an application to begin tolling I-70:

https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/braun-seeks-to-turn-i-70-into-toll-road/

[Great Lakes Roads]

Looks like Indiana has submitted an application to begin tolling I-70:

https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/braun-seeks-to-turn-i-70-into-toll-road/

While I'm in the minority of tolling interstates in Indiana, a majority of people who travel along I-70 don't want it to become a toll road... Look at Missouri, they are spending $2 billion to widen I-70 across the state while also redoing interchanges and pavement!

[Plutonic Panda]

Yeah these projects can be done without tolling.

[silverback1065]

Yeah these projects can be done without tolling.

they can but it would take decades and tax increases that would essentially be the same as tolling it, so why not just toll it?

[mgk920]

Looks like Indiana has submitted an application to begin tolling I-70:

https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/braun-seeks-to-turn-i-70-into-toll-road/

While I'm in the minority of tolling interstates in Indiana, a majority of people who travel along I-70 don't want it to become a toll road... Look at Missouri, they are spending $2 billion to widen I-70 across the state while also redoing interchanges and pavement!

I certainly hope that the cities and small towns along US 40 are ready for that.

Mike

[Plutonic Panda]

Yeah these projects can be done without tolling.

they can but it would take decades and tax increases that would essentially be the same as tolling it, so why not just toll it?

Or they can do it Kansas did and pass a funding bill that will take about a decade and then we'll have a nice new road for the next 50+ years

[vdeane]

As many of you are well aware, most of Indiana's political leaders do not like raising taxes. Among certain factions, it's almost verboten to even discuss the matter. At this time, talk of increasing any taxes whatsoever is a non-starter in the statehouse. For one, it's not necessary as the state is in excellent fiscal health.

Seems to me this is the real problem here.  Politicians that are this adverse to taxation shouldn't be taken seriously,  If it's not necessary to raise taxes, then the money should be available to keep up with infrastructure needs without tolls.  If there isn't, then it seems like the existing taxes aren't funding the state's needs (regardless of what picture "excellent fiscal health" might paint) and taxes need to be raised.

[NWI_Irish96]

As many of you are well aware, most of Indiana's political leaders do not like raising taxes. Among certain factions, it's almost verboten to even discuss the matter. At this time, talk of increasing any taxes whatsoever is a non-starter in the statehouse. For one, it's not necessary as the state is in excellent fiscal health.

Seems to me this is the real problem here.  Politicians that are this adverse to taxation shouldn't be taken seriously,  If it's not necessary to raise taxes, then the money should be available to keep up with infrastructure needs without tolls.  If there isn't, then it seems like the existing taxes aren't funding the state's needs (regardless of what picture "excellent fiscal health" might paint) and taxes need to be raised.

In this case, "excellent fiscal health" = little to no debt and a balanced budget, which they are able to accomplish without raising taxes because they aren't spending what is really needed on education, health care and roads, among other things.

So I guess you could say the people who have been in charge for the past 25 years care much more about fiscal health and low taxes than physical and social health.

[Echostatic]

While I'm in the minority of tolling interstates in Indiana, a majority of people who travel along I-70 don't want it to become a toll road... Look at Missouri, they are spending $2 billion to widen I-70 across the state while also redoing interchanges and pavement!

When has a mjority of people ever wanted anything to become a toll road? I don't think that's really a factor here.

[silverback1065]

Yeah these projects can be done without tolling.

they can but it would take decades and tax increases that would essentially be the same as tolling it, so why not just toll it?

Or they can do it Kansas did and pass a funding bill that will take about a decade and then we'll have a nice new road for the next 50+ years

it wouldn't even come close to lasting 50+ years try 10-15.

[Plutonic Panda]

Yeah these projects can be done without tolling.

they can but it would take decades and tax increases that would essentially be the same as tolling it, so why not just toll it?

Or they can do it Kansas did and pass a funding bill that will take about a decade and then we'll have a nice new road for the next 50+ years

it wouldn't even come close to lasting 50+ years try 10-15.

There's plenty of roads that have lasted well over that. What are you talking about?

[I-55]

Yeah these projects can be done without tolling.

they can but it would take decades and tax increases that would essentially be the same as tolling it, so why not just toll it?

Or they can do it Kansas did and pass a funding bill that will take about a decade and then we'll have a nice new road for the next 50+ years

it wouldn't even come close to lasting 50+ years try 10-15.

There's plenty of roads that have lasted well over that. What are you talking about?

Well, US 31 around Kokomo barely lasted that long before they had to close each direction for a month at a time for emergency concrete repairs. I wouldn't say that a concrete freeway has "lasted" if it needs that major of rehab that early.

[Revive 755]

There's plenty of roads that have lasted well over that. What are you talking about?

Well, US 31 around Kokomo barely lasted that long before they had to close each direction for a month at a time for emergency concrete repairs. I wouldn't say that a concrete freeway has "lasted" if it needs that major of rehab that early.

Modern pavement just does not seem to hold up as well as earlier construction.  Maybe it's not a good example due to the amount of traffic, but given that the Borman was reconstructed around the turn of the century it should not seem to need the amount of repairs it has had lately.

[Rothman]

There's plenty of roads that have lasted well over that. What are you talking about?

Well, US 31 around Kokomo barely lasted that long before they had to close each direction for a month at a time for emergency concrete repairs. I wouldn't say that a concrete freeway has "lasted" if it needs that major of rehab that early.

Modern pavement just does not seem to hold up as well as earlier construction.  Maybe it's not a good example due to the amount of traffic, but given that the Borman was reconstructed around the turn of the century it should not seem to need the amount of repairs it has had lately.

Trucks...

[I-55]

There's plenty of roads that have lasted well over that. What are you talking about?

Well, US 31 around Kokomo barely lasted that long before they had to close each direction for a month at a time for emergency concrete repairs. I wouldn't say that a concrete freeway has "lasted" if it needs that major of rehab that early.

Modern pavement just does not seem to hold up as well as earlier construction.  Maybe it's not a good example due to the amount of traffic, but given that the Borman was reconstructed around the turn of the century it should not seem to need the amount of repairs it has had lately.

Trucks...

The other factor is lime cement, further upthread I remember there being an article about the US 31 Kokomo Bypass having a higher concentration of lime cement (as it is more environmentally friendly than portland cement) but statewide INDOT is having issues with pavement deterioration in lime cement pavements.

Also the Borman is slated for future reconstruction as part of the FlexRoad project, here's an RFP submitted in August 2025 from Parsons:
https://pscsrfp.indot.in.gov/Item/Loi?rfpItemId=20319#

[Great Lakes Roads]

It hasn't been announced yet, but I saw a few "NOTICE" signs bagged over that screams a speed camera zone on I-69 NB in Evansville will be active within a few months... it's related to the I-69 ORX project on the Indiana side.

[ITB]

In regards to the potential tolling I-70, it's really no longer a question of "if" but "when." The application is currently with the feds, awaiting a decision. If it's approved, and it probably will be, you can expect INDOT to move rapidly to set up tolling infrastructure. It appears everything is aligning for tolling to begin sometime in 2027. Bear in mind, this is just my opinion, and I do not have any inside information.

I did some research about the percent of I-70 that is three lanes in each direction in states adjacent to Indiana, as well as Missouri. Here's how it breaks down:

Indiana — Total length of I-70: 156 miles

Three or more lanes in each direction: Approximately 22%

In Wayne County, INDOT's Revive I-70 project is currently adding a third travel lane in each direction for 8 miles. Also, the project might include widening an additional 4 miles of roadway, also in Wayne County, but no decision on that had been made yet.

Ohio — Total length of I-70: 225.6 miles

Three or more lanes in each direction: Approximately 45%–50%

For about 60 miles, from Zanesville east to the West Virginia border, I-70 remains entirely two lanes in each direction.

Illinois — Total length of I-70: about 157 miles

Three or more lanes in each direction: Approximately 14%–16%

As of 2026, there are no plans to widen the I-70 rural gaps between Troy and Effingham or Effingham and the Indiana border.

Missouri — Total length of I-70: roughly 250 miles

Three of more lanes in each direction: Approximately 30%-35%

Missouri, under a $2.8 billion initiative, is currently widening sections of I-70. Plans are to eventually widen all 200 miles of I-70 not currently three or more lanes in each direction.

[74/171FAN]

If it's approved, and it probably will be, you can expect INDOT to move rapidly to set up tolling infrastructure.

How do you know "it probably will be approved" considering the feds have still generally balked at tolling interstates?  Even the ones considered under the pilot projects in the late 2000s never got tolled.

[Revive 755]

Illinois — Total length of I-70: about 157 miles

Three or more lanes in each direction: Approximately 14%–16%

As of 2026, there are no plans to widen the I-70 rural gaps between Troy and Effingham or Effingham and the Indiana border.

The 'Data Driven Decision' 2025 Spreadsheet available off of https://idot.illinois.gov/programs-and-projects/multimodal-transportation/data-driven-decisions-for-capacity-projects.html indicates at least consideration in Illinois for widening I-70 from the eastern I-57 interchange to the county line just east of Exit 105.

[vdeane]

If it's approved, and it probably will be, you can expect INDOT to move rapidly to set up tolling infrastructure.

How do you know "it probably will be approved" considering the feds have still generally balked at tolling interstates?  Even the ones considered under the pilot projects in the late 2000s never got tolled.

Isn't the reason FHWA balked at past proposals largely because the DOTs couldn't avoid the temptation to divert the toll dollars to something other than the interstate being tolled?

[ITB]

If it's approved, and it probably will be, you can expect INDOT to move rapidly to set up tolling infrastructure.

How do you know "it probably will be approved" considering the feds have still generally balked at tolling interstates?  Even the ones considered under the pilot projects in the late 2000s never got tolled.

To me, it's rather straightforward. Indiana is a Republican state. The current administration in Washington, DC is Republican. In many ways, they share a similar philosophy regarding government. Low taxes, less regulation. In all likelihood, there are high level officials in place at the USDOT and FHWA who will be sympathetic to Indiana's application to toll I-70. The chances the application will be approved are greater with this administration than the prior one.

Over the years since the creation of the Interstate System in 1956, Congress has carved out several specific exemptions to allow the FHWA to approve the tolling of interstates. For example, the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program (ISRRPP) provides an avenue for states to apply to convert already-built free lanes into toll lanes. This is probably the program under which INDOT has submitted its request to toll I-70. I say "probably" because there's another program (under Title 23, Section 129) which gives states the right to toll interstates if new lanes are being added, if the interstate is new construction, or if HOV lanes are being converted to HOT lanes.

When Indiana's I-69 extension was just a vision there was talk to make it a toll road. The idea was ultimately discarded, but officials knew the tolling opportunity was there, and to shelve it meant they weren't going to get a second chance.

Congress didn't create ISRRPP to have it gather dust. Like any other government program it's to be used. FHWA officials are well aware some states are facing mounting financial headwinds to maintain and expand the interstates within their borders. At a core level, USDOT, through the FHWA, is entrusted to help states build and maintain their surface transportation networks. The department is there to assist not hinder. In certain circles, it is believed the maintenance of roads and bridges should be borne by those who use them. User fees. Tolls. This train of thought is not new. National park entrance fees have been around for more than a century. Toll roads, and bridge and tunnel tolls, even longer.

INDOT may or may not receive the USDOT waiver to toll I-70. It's uncertain at this time. However, it appears the stars are now aligning for it to happen.

[74/171FAN]

If it's approved, and it probably will be, you can expect INDOT to move rapidly to set up tolling infrastructure.

How do you know "it probably will be approved" considering the feds have still generally balked at tolling interstates?  Even the ones considered under the pilot projects in the late 2000s never got tolled.

Isn't the reason FHWA balked at past proposals largely because the DOTs couldn't avoid the temptation to divert the toll dollars to something other than the interstate being tolled?

That was obviously the case with I-80 in PA, but that never made the pilot list if I remember correctly.

[ITB]

Here's a picture I took of a convenience store/gas station in New Unionville, Monroe County, Indiana, to document the price of gasoline in early 2026.


Photo date: January 7, 2026
The Lakeside Market on State Road 45 in New Unionville, Indiana, about 10 miles east of downtown Bloomington.

And a different perspective of the store:


Photo date: January 7, 2026

[Great Lakes Roads]

Here are some proposed bills in the 2026 legislative session that involves transportation:

SB 149: Tolling transponders
"Allows a person who: (1) lives or works in a county where there is a toll road or tollway; and (2) pays for tolls assessed while driving on the toll road or tollway with a transponder; to apply for a credit to be added to the person's qualifying account for use towards future tolls. Provides that a person who pays for tolls using a transponder that is connected to a qualified account that is not registered to: (1) the person; (2) the person's employer; (3) a car rental company that owns the car being driven by the person; or (4) another person with the same permanent residence as the person; commits a Class B misdemeanor."

HB 1083: Lane expansion of I-70
"Requires the Indiana department of transportation to take action necessary to construct one or more additional lanes of traffic across Indiana for: (1) eastbound; and (2) westbound; Interstate Highway 70 in areas of Interstate Highway 70 where there are four lanes of traffic. Makes an appropriation."

HB 1319: Collection of toll road user fees
"Requires the Indiana department of transportation to establish and implement an electronic or nonmanual tolling program as the sole means for charging and collecting user fees. Provides that a public-private agreement between the Indiana finance authority and an operator that is entered into, renewed, or amended after June 30, 2026, must contain a provision requiring the operator to establish and implement an electronic or nonmanual tolling program as the sole means for charging and collecting user fees."