The two major candidates for governor of Indiana are facing off again over the issue of tolling highways in the state.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels said the state shouldn’t rule out the possibility of building the planned Interstate 69 extension as a toll road because the state doesn’t have the money to pay for the project.

Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan, however, called consideration of additional toll roads in the state a bad idea and said an I-69 toll would stifle economic development along the Indianapolis-to-Evansville route.

Daniels told a gathering of local businesses in Evansville Tuesday, Oct. 19, that the I-69 extension should be built as soon as possible, but there are problems.

“There isn’t any money for it right now,” he said.

He recommended the state “look at tolling as an option. Money will not fall out of the sky from Washington.”

Under plans announced last year, the state would extend the highway in a project estimated to cost about $1.8 billion and take eight to 14 years to build.

Both candidates have said they supported construction of the extension and both have made similar comments about the possibility of additional toll roads.

Kernan on Tuesday told the Evansville Courier & Press that Indiana must battle for a larger share of federal highway funds, something Daniels also mentions in stump speeches.

The state now gets back about 90 cents for every dollar paid in federal fuel taxes.

Kernan said the Senate version of the transportation reauthorization bill pending in Congress would increase Indiana’s share to 95 cents. Daniels said that even if that version passed, the state would still fall $2 billion short of what it needs for various highway projects.