Critics Worry Of Indiana Toll Road Spending Cuts

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Critics of privatizing the Indiana Toll Road say they're worried the operator's bankruptcy filing will end up with less money being spent on the highway.

Chicago-based ITR Concession Co. wants to sell the toll road lease to a new operator, saying it can't afford the debt payments from the 2006 deal under which its Spanish-Australian parent company paid Indiana $3.8 billion to run the highway and keep the toll revenue.

Democratic state Sen. John Broden of South Bend says he believes a new operator's first priority will be finding ways to cut costs and have fewer employees.

State officials say they expect no changes in the highway's daily operations

ITR spokeswoman Amber Kettring says any new operator will have to follow the lease requirements and its limits on toll increases.