CHICAGO (AP) — The governors of Indiana and Illinois have given their endorsement to a planned 47-mile expressway aimed at relieving traffic congestion in the Chicago area and creating jobs in both states.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence both threw their support behind the proposed Illiana Expressway during a regional summit Friday at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

The Times of Munster reports the expressway would link Interstate 65 in northwestern Indiana with Interstate-55 in south suburban Chicago.

The governors' thumbs-up comes in the face of mounting opposition to the proposed highway in Chicago, where a vote will take place in two weeks.

The road has also been controversial in northwestern Indiana among residents living in its proposed path.