Toll Road inspires complaints to state officials

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 22, 2008 at 4:06 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Toll booth lines, high gas prices and even an advertising mascot have drawn the ire of motorists traveling the 157-mile Indiana Toll Road across northern Indiana.

Drivers have flooded several state offices with letters, e-mails and calls complaining about the highway, which a Spanish-Australian consortium paid $3.8 billion to operate nearly two years ago.

"With the high costs of fuel people can't readily afford to sit in traffic for an hour or more just to go 1-2 miles to pay a toll," said Ryan Courtney in a letter sent last summer. The Lowell resident said toll booth backups had nearly doubled his commute time to Chicago for work, but they have since dropped.

Filthy restrooms at the highway's travel plazas, which are operated by private businesses and not Toll Road management, have drawn complaints. One letter writer described clogged sinks, dirty toilet stalls and overflowing trash bins at the Toll Road bathroom she used.

A northern Indiana advertising campaign featuring the mascot i-Zoom Girl also has taken some heat.

"I am mortified by the action figure I saw advertising these changes," wrote Beth Williams, of Goshen, in a letter sent to Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman. "The year is 2008. How could anyone think that a large breasted, small waisted, scantily clad Barbie-type figure would be appropriate for this new venture?"

Some of the letters ask questions about rates or paying for a bypassed toll. Many complained about the road's management. The Indiana Toll Road Concession Company was formed to operate and manage the Toll Road during a 75-year lease. It assumed responsibility on June 29, 2006.

Toll Road spokesman Matt Pierce said his company has spent $40 million installing electronic tolling, paid $6 million for a new fleet of 40 snowplows, added toll booths at a few congested areas, and built a new salt barn to name a few improvements.

"We know our competition is free," he said. "We want our customers to enjoy the experience."

State Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Howe, said he doesn't hear very much from his constituents about the Toll Road anymore.

"I have to give them a lot of credit because they have invested in the road," he said. "There are always going to be problems here and there, but overall they've been great."

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Information from: The Journal Gazette, http://www.journalgazette.net

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