Illiana PPP seeks consultants

The Illinois Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking consultants for its proposed US$1bn Illiana Expressway PPP.

A planning study is to be undertaken for the 25-mile east-west toll road, which would connect Interstate 65 in Indiana with Interstate 57 in Illinois.

Although Democrat state senator Heather Steans is still waiting for a bill that would enable PPPs for transportation projects to be passed, Illinois approved specific legislation for the Illiana PPP in January 2010.

In November, Illinois’s DOT appointed Jeffrey Parker & Associates, Halcrow and Nossaman as strategic and financial advisers for alternative contracting methods, such as PPPs.

According to the DOT, the $1m appointment involves "the development and review of legislation".