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Virginia requesting public input on public-private partnerships
By Keith Goble, Land Line state legislative editor
August 7, 2014
Truckers and other drivers can make their voices heard on Virginia’s pursuit of public-private partnerships, or P3s. The Virginia Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships is asking for feedback on how to increase transparency, competition and public involvement for projects that are developed under the P3 model. Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said the request for comments is intended to improve the P3 process. He said the method should be “a tool to deliver projects that leverage private sector equity, minimize risk for taxpayers, and maximize benefits for the traveling public.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has submitted comments. The Association sent a letter to Gov. Terry McAuliffe and members of the House and Senate transportation committees on the behalf of professional truckers.
OOIDA Director of State Legislative Affairs Mike Matousek said the Association’s communication with elected officials is intended to influence how P3 agreements in the state are structured.
He said OOIDA is generally opposed to P3s, “in particular those that put a private entity in charge of operating a toll on a road or bridge. However, these types of agreements will continue to be used so it’s important that we influence how they are structured.”
The Association also sent a Call to Action to Virginia truckers asking them to provide comment. Public comments on the P3 manual will be accepted through Aug. 19. The request for comments and the current P3 manual are available here.
Responses can be submitted by email. Responses should include respondent’s name and address and the title “P3 Manual” in the subject line.
Written responses can also be submitted to: Ms. Jackie Cromwell, Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships, 600 E. Main St., Suite 2120, Richmond, Va., 23219. Another opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions will be made available to the public in October.
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