CHICAGO — A coalition of environmental groups wants the Federal Highway Administration to withdraw its support for the controversial Illiana Corridor toll road.
The coalition, which includes the Environmental Law and Policy Center and Sierra Club Illinois, sent a letter to the FHWA asking the agency to rescind its support for the proposed 50-mile toll road between Indiana and Illinois.
The federal agency approved the Illiana in December, giving both states the go-ahead to move from the planning stage to the implementation stage.
But the project is already on life support due to a lack of support from Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The governor, who has never publicly announced a position on the project, last week put it on ice as one of a series of cuts he said would save the state $400 million.
"Based on the governor's and [the Illinois Department of Transportation's] own statement and analysis, the Illiana Tollway does not meet fiscal constraint requirements necessary for FHWA's approval," the letter said, according to local reports.
The letter contends the road will not qualify for a federal construction loan because it lacks state funding.
