The LaPorte County Commissioners Wednesday night approved forming a multi-county agency that will bid for the lease of the Indiana Toll Road.

The proposal would have died had Lake County not decided Wednesday morning to join the consortium.

LaPorte County attorney Shaw Friedman said at least two counties were necessary to form the not-for-profit agency, which expects to submit a preliminary bid to a bankruptcy court in Chicago by today’s deadline.

‘‘It’s very important to have at least two counties,’’ said Friedman.

No other county along the Indiana Toll Road has decided to join, with opposition already in from counties like Elkhart and LaGrange.

St. Joseph County is expected to take up the question today. Commissioner Andy Kostielney said most of the St. Joseph County Council seemed in favor of the proposal.

Porter County left open the possibility of joining.

The Lake County Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to join the consortium with Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Crown Point, voting against the idea.
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