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Post by retnuhreed on Feb 8, 2006 16:44:24 GMT -5
comments?
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Post by kevin1 on Feb 8, 2006 17:48:47 GMT -5
Why give control to foreigners ? Don't they take away enough money from us already ? I can guarantee that I'll never set a tire on it .
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Post by raporter1 on Feb 8, 2006 18:47:51 GMT -5
Right now I vote no, what is the purpose of selling it to foreign interests.
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Post by duff on Feb 8, 2006 19:07:35 GMT -5
I don't think it is that bad of a deal.
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Post by 911 on Feb 8, 2006 19:59:54 GMT -5
Sounds like a heck of a deal I dont know why anyone would be against it.
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Post by bsutravis on Feb 9, 2006 8:32:35 GMT -5
They aren't selling the road.......this company cannot roll it up and take it with them. 4 Billion dollars.......NOW.......I think it's a great for the state. British Airways manages the Indy Airport but no one is screaming about that. This company has guaranteed to make way more improvements than Indiana could ever dream about. It's just like competition between grocery stores, if they set the toll too high, or provide crappy service, people wont use the road. Who cares what country they are based out of, the money they pay will be in US dollars.
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Post by swindianapaul on Feb 9, 2006 8:55:54 GMT -5
Strongly in favor of it. No different than any of the foreign investment the state has chased for past 25 years (Isuzu, Toyota, Rolls Royce, etc..)
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Post by hoyt1166 on Feb 9, 2006 8:58:45 GMT -5
As someone who travels the toll road daily, I have no problem with it. The key to the whole thing will be if Indiana invests the money wisely. I'd venture a guess now that since it's a private company providing a service versus the government, you'll find the service a bit better.
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Post by DEERTRACKS on Feb 9, 2006 9:10:51 GMT -5
Foreigners already own too much here!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by solohunter on Feb 9, 2006 9:34:15 GMT -5
As long it is not France... Solohunter
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Post by bigballer on Feb 9, 2006 9:47:28 GMT -5
The only thing I don't like about it right now is the length of the contract. 75 years is a long time. But I do agree with Travis. If they make the toll to much people wont travel it or not enough will to make them a profit. I hadn't thought of it that way before. And as long as they spend the money wisely its a good idea.....Agree with Hoyt there...
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Post by duff on Feb 9, 2006 10:26:13 GMT -5
The biggest downfall I have heard about this is the clause that prohibits the state to improve the roads that are within a certain distance of the Toll Road. I am not sure if this is still an issue, I have heard some rumors that it was resolved. But US 20 would be one of the affected. That could cause some major headaches to the South Bend, Elkhart areas if the toll do get jacked up too high. I think US20 is a pretty dangerous road already especially when you get into the Amish sections.
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Post by jstalljon on Feb 9, 2006 11:43:52 GMT -5
I just wonder what will happen to the rates! I travel the toll road twice daily!
Right now I'm offered a commuter card which cuts my rates in half! Hope that sticks around....
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Post by snakeeye on Feb 9, 2006 12:21:45 GMT -5
Indy's water is from France's Veolia, so what the hay? Take the money, and use it wisely! It's only a road, and 20 has a high speed limit!
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Post by bsutravis on Feb 9, 2006 13:04:38 GMT -5
Deertracks.... They wont OWN anything, just manage the road. Indiana still owns the concrete. 4 billion can fix a lot of infrastructure NOW.....plus IN still would get all the normal highway dollars from the Federal Govt. I'm not a fan of "cone zones" but where it's needed, I'm all for it.
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Post by DEERTRACKS on Feb 9, 2006 13:51:14 GMT -5
Deertracks.... They wont OWN anything, just manage the road. Indiana still owns the concrete. 4 billion can fix a lot of infrastructure NOW.....plus IN still would get all the normal highway dollars from the Federal Govt. I'm not a fan of "cone zones" but where it's needed, I'm all for it. Let me rephase my thoughts. They will own it's use & the user fee's associated with operating a "profitable" lease.
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Post by duff on Feb 9, 2006 14:15:01 GMT -5
I am not sure if this is still an issue but that is a pretty huge deal. 75 yrs is a heck of a long time to not build better roads or improve the ones that are already there. Just look at US31 north of Indy. How long ago was that just improved and bypassed Kokomo, now they are wanting to by pass the by pass.
If US20 gets packed with traffic, the only high speed will be the drivers taking drugs. It is already congested in St Joe and Elkhart counties.
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Post by jkd on Feb 9, 2006 16:31:07 GMT -5
I have a couple of questions... If there's all this money to be made from running privatized roads, why aren't US or Indiana companies in on this deal? If the overseas guys are offering up $3.5B, obviously they think there's way more than that to be made, so if the rates are going to go up 4X under their management, why can't the state raise the tolls and get the money directly for the next 75 years? I also find it interesting that when Mitch was running, he busted on Kernan (although it was done when O'Banion was still gov) about a single computer software/support contract that was given to an overseas company, saying those dollars should have gone to a Hooser company... Anyone for an order of waffles...
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Post by steiny on Feb 9, 2006 19:14:35 GMT -5
Good points JKD. Here is the way I see it. The reason the state isn't taking on this project, is because they have not got a clue how to handle money responsibly. What the private sector can do with one dollar, probably takes a government entity three dollars. If the state took on that project,it would cost the taxpayers a whole bunch more, it would take a whole lot longer to get completed, and it would never be a money maker.
You will see clear proof of this when this project begins. That $4bil would easily clean up our state's financial deficit and then some. However, I'd be surprised if one dime of it went towards cleaning up that debt.
I say full steam ahead ! Anytime you can put something in the hands of private sector business, you are better off.
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Post by davepowers on Feb 9, 2006 19:35:51 GMT -5
I hope everyone understands that the highway is paid for out of Federal dollars and the money we get is going to be paid to the fed not kept here in Indiana.
Even if it did stay here it should be put in a bond with limited draws over the length of the contract so Mitch can't spend all of it.
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