The Federal Highway Administration dropped its appeal to a judge’s ruling against the Illiana Expressway, a move that could mean a dead end for the controversial project.
The proposed tollway would link I-55 in the south suburbs with I-65 in Indiana, but would cost taxpayers more than $1.1 billion, according to a 2013 estimate by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
The highway administration filed a legal challenge but confirmed it was withdrawn, pleasing the Environmental Law and Policy Center, which sued to stop construction of the Illiana Expressway.
"It's time for the federal and state transportation agencies to now bring the boondoggle Illiana Tollway to an end," Executive Director Howard Learner said in a statement.
"In light of the state's current fiscal crisis and a lack of sufficient capital resources, the Illiana Expressway will not move forward at this time. Project costs exceed currently available resources," a statement from Illinois Gov. Rauner said.
