The Indiana Finance Authority (“IFA”) issued its Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for an availability payments public private partnership for the financing, building and operating of the Indiana portion of the Illiana Corridor Project (the “Indiana Portion”) and I-65 Added Capacity Project (“I-65 Project” and collectively with the Indiana Portion, the “Project”) on November 12. The Illiana Corridor Project is a collaborative effort among the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”), Indiana Department of Transportation, and IFA to construct a highway, approximately 46.8 miles long, which provides an east-west connection between I-65 in Indiana and Interstates 57 and 55 in Illinois. The Indiana Portion consists of the new construction of an 11.7 mile, four-lane median divided tolled highway, extending from the Illinois/Indiana stateline at the west end and connecting to I-65 north of Lowell, Indiana at the east end. The IDOT recently issued an RFQ for the Illinois portion of the Illiana Corridor Project. The I-65 Project involves the construction of additional travel lanes on I-65 and will be located between SR 2 extending north to US 30.
Firms will have until January 10, 2014 to submit their statement of qualifications (SOQs) in response to the RFQ. The IFA will then review the SOQs and shortlist the most highly qualified firms to provide design-build services for the Indiana Portion and I-65 Project. Firms will be selected based on experience, technical competency, ability to perform and other factors. The anticipated announcement of shortlisted proposers is set for February 19, 2014 with the selection of a firm and commercial close projected for November 2014.
The Project follows IFA’s recent successful completion of the East End Crossing Project, another bi-state project. The Project is expected to spur substantial economic development in Northwest Indiana. The route is also expected to relieve roadway congestion and strengthen the regional transportation network in Northwest Indiana and Northeast Illinois (including improved business accessibility to labor, suppliers and markets and improved personal accessibility for residents). The environmental clearance process for the route is already underway and is anticipated to be final by Spring 2014.
The RFQ is posted on the IFA’s website.
