Toll-free Georgia 400, tolls for I-70 in Colorado

Link to article here.

Roundup: Toll-free Georgia 400; toll lanes proposed for I-70 in Colorado
By David Tanner, Land Line associate editor
Landline Magazine

A wrecking ball will soon demolish toll booths along the Ga. 400 in Atlanta, while out west an engineering group has proposed tolls on a congested portion of I-70. Following is a roundup of recent happenings involving toll roads around the country.



The Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority set a tentative date of Nov. 21 to remove tolls from the Ga. 400, and crews will carry out a $3.5 million tollbooth demolition sometime next year.



Gov. Nathan Deal announced during his 2012 campaign that the state would pay off all debts related to the Ga. 400 by the end of 2013 and remove the tolls. When Deal became governor, he also became chairman of the State Road and Tollway Authority.



According to the plan, traffic will shift to three general purpose lanes that are currently used as all-electronic toll lanes on or about Nov. 21.

More tolls coming to Georgia on I-75 & I-575

Link to article here.

More tolls coming to Georgia. This time to I-75 and I-575 and it will be a public private partnership.

Parsons to Help Design 30-Mile Interstate Toll Roadway
Published by Mary-Louise Hoffman
August 15, 2013
ExecutiveBiz.com

Parsons has been awarded a contract to provide design services for a 29.7-mile highway modernization project in Georgia that aims to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion.

The Georgia Department of Transportation asked Parsons to design reversible tollways along interstates 75 and 575 for the Northwest Corridor project, which also includes adding 38 bridges and traffic management schemes, the company said Wednesday.

“Parsons has been working with GDOT for nearly four decades, and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship with them,” said Todd Wager, Parsons group president.

Northwest Express Roadbuilders, a joint venture of Hubbard Construction and Archer Western Contractors, will pay for at least 10 percent of the effort.

The public-private partnership initiative is scheduled to be completed by spring 2018.

Parsons has been awarded a contract to provide design services for a 29.7-mile highway modernization project in Georgia that aims to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion.

The Georgia Department of Transportation asked Parsons to design reversible tollways along interstates 75 and 575 for the Northwest Corridor project, which also includes adding 38 bridges and traffic management schemes, the company said Wednesday.

“Parsons has been working with GDOT for nearly four decades, and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship with them,” said Todd Wager, Parsons group president.

Northwest Express Roadbuilders, a joint venture of Hubbard Construction and Archer Western Contractors, will pay for at least 10 percent of the effort.

The public-private partnership initiative is scheduled to be completed by spring 2018.

- See more at: http://blog.executivebiz.com/2013/08/parsons-to-help-design-30-mile-interstate-toll-roadway-todd-wager-comments/#sthash.TEeclhcA.aZjEOsP0.dpuf

Private operators vie for I-69 in Indiana

Link to article here.

NAFTA Superhighway: Private operators vie for I-69 in Indiana
By Terri Hall
August 5, 2013

Close on the heels of news that Interstate 69 (I-69) is underway in Texas, the Indiana Finance Authority and highway department (INDOT) has selected four private developers to submit proposals for a public private partnership (P3) on segment 5 of I-69 from Bloomington to Martinsville. The final selection is expected this fall.

I-69 was designated as high priority corridors (18) and (20) by congress in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). These high priority corridors became the conduit for global trade when NAFTA came on the scene. By 2005, congress identified more than 80 such corridors criss-crossing America.

Maryland transit agency seeks P3 for light rail project

Link to article here.

Buyer beware: P3s are NEVER what government officials make them out to be. The private operators ALWAYS find a way to ensure taxpayers will bail out or heavily subsidize the project. It's always cheaper to have the public sector build and control public infrastructure projects. Anything less is a government-sanctioned private monopoly.

Commentary: The case for a Purple Line public-private partnership
By Maryland Transit Administration
Published: August 18, 2013
Washington Post

The Purple Line is a 16-mile light rail line that runs east-west inside the Capital Beltway with direct connections to Metrorail’s Orange Line, Green Line and two branches of the Red Line and to MARC’s Brunswick, Camden and Penn Lines. A total of 21 stations are planned. The total project cost is $2.2 billion.

The Purple Line is a great candidate for delivery as a P3 for several reasons:
■It is large and complex enough to have a potential for cost savings, but not too large to deter private interest.

■The Maryland Transit Administration’s other rail lines are in Baltimore, so it makes sense that the Purple Line be constructed and operated independently from these existing rail lines.

■A P3 is a recognized project delivery approach in the National Capital Region.

The selection of a P3 delivery method for this project means that a single private partner will be responsible for designing, constructing, operating and maintaining the project, as well as providing some financing. This innovative project delivery method differs from a typical project in which the state separately bids for the design and construction of the transit line and then operates the system, such as Light Rail in Baltimore.

This P3 approach is known as a design-build-finance-operate-maintain and is used extensively in Canada for rail projects and also for a rail transit project in Denver.

The private partnership will manage a team of primarily local workers and contractors to ensure successful delivery of the project, bringing creativity and efficiency.

By having the contractor who builds it also responsible for long-term operations and maintenance, the contractor has greater incentive to manage risks and design a project that is well operated and maintained over the long term.

In return for operating, maintaining and financing a portion of construction, the state will pay the contractor annual payments throughout the 30- to 40-year contract period. Deductions are made from the payments if the contractor does not meet predetermined performance targets, such as on-time performance, vehicle cleanliness and customer service.

The state will still pay for part of construction, provide oversight, set fares, keep fare revenue and specify service levels. The state also can specify the general appearance of stations, vehicles and other project elements, although providing bidders with more flexibility increases the potential for cost savings. It is typical for the public agency (the state) to perform all upfront environmental documentation, acquire right of way, secure general agreements with third parties such as utilities and railroads, collect fares and provide security.

The state will assess whether to keep or transfer these functions to the contractor before issuing a request for proposals. The P3 approach can accommodate other state goals, such as workforce development, minority/disadvantaged business enterprises, and environmental enhancements such as LEED-certified facilities.

The state will use a competitive solicitation process to select a private partner. Following review of the process by the General Assembly and preliminary consent by the Board of Public Works, the request for qualifications will be issued this fall. The process and evaluation criteria will be published prior to the RFQ at www.purplelinemd.com. The final request for proposals will be released next spring with construction possible in 2015.

Irish govt may pay $300 mil in tolls to coax truckers off back roads

Link to article here.

Anyone who thinks the taxpayers don't bailout these private toll roads hasn't paid attention.

Government may cover €3million in tolls to try to ‘coax truckers off back roads’
The M50 and East-Link will be excluded from the plan, which the National Roads Authority is proposing to operators of toll roads.
The Journal.ie - DUBLIN, IRELAND
February 8, 2013

MOTORWAYS COULD BE free to use for heavy goods vehicles for the month of November as the Government tries to accurately assess the levels of toll avoidance in Ireland.

The National Roads Authority has written to operators of public-private partnership toll roads outlining the plan, which would see the Government foot the bill for around €3 million worth of expected tolls.

Transport minister Leo Varadkar said that the move would help increase the usage of some parts of Ireland’s €12 billion motorway network. Currently, four of the country’s tolled roads make losses; the M3, the Limerick Tunnel, the M6 and the N25 Waterford bypass.  HGVs pay €3.50 on the M3, but €6 in the Limerick Tunnel.

“I want to find out if trucks will start using our motorways more often if we change the current tolling regime,” said the Transport Minister.

The M50 and East-Link will both be excluded from the plan.

Tom Wilson of the Freight Transport Association of Ireland said that he hoped hauliers would take advantage of the scheme.

“We strongly believe that freight operators should see significant cost savings and benefits, such as cutting journey times, reductions in fuel, vehicle wear and tear, driver’s wages and improved delivery times.

“All this would lead to better customer satisfaction and we think it makes perfect sense for freight operators to take advantage of it.”

Detroit's private operator of Windsor Tunnel declares bankruptcy

Link to article here.

Detroit Windsor Tunnel operator American Roads files for bankruptcy
By Bloomberg News
July 25, 2013 11:07 AM

American Roads LLC, which operates highways including the mile-long Detroit Windsor Tunnel, sought bankruptcy court protection, citing $830 million in debt related to swaps and bonds.

The Detroit-based company listed more than $100 million in assets in Chapter 11 papers filed today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York.

The filings "are not the result of the recent bankruptcy filing of Detroit - although Detroit's financial situation has contributed to the difficulties," Chief Executive Officer Neal Belitsky said in court papers.

FL governor appoints P3s oversight board

Link to article here.

Governor’s Office Quietly Announces Appointments to Oversight Board
By Steve Miller
August 5, 2013
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

A new Florida law that took effect July 1 broadened the use of public-private partnerships and created a new taskforce to oversee the arrangements. The legislation required Gov. Rick Scott to appoint the seven-member Partnership for Public Facilities and Infrastructure Act Guidelines Task Force.

But if Scott’s office hit the July 1 deadline to make the appointments, it did so quietly. No announcement was made about the appointments until the Florida Center of Investigative Reporting asked about it Friday. In response, Scott’s office emailed a press release announcing the appointments.

Under the law, the panel is composed of the Secretary of the Department of Management Services and six members appointed by the governor, including one county government official, one city government official, one district school board member, and three representatives of the business community. The panel’s main objective is to “recommend guidelines for the Legislature to consider for purposes of creating a uniform process across the state.”

The legislation extends the former boundaries of these public-private partnerships to entertainment complexes “or any other public facility or infrastructure that is used or will be used by the public at large or in support of an accepted public purpose or activity.”

Public-private partnerships, or P3s, have been present in Florida for a while, primarily used by the Florida Department of Transportation. The bill is seen as a boon for private commercial construction contractors.

The new legislation allows the participation of non-profits, with some caveats. Park projects using public dollars and non-profits must be at least 20 acres, while education works must involve buildings that are at least 90,000 square feet.

The freshly minted panel is required to hold its first meeting by August 31.

Below is the release sent to the Florida Center of Investigative Reporting in response to our queries about the panel:

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Six to Partnership for Public Facilities and Infrastructure Act Guidelines Task Force

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott appointed six to the Partnership for Public Facilities and Infrastructure Act Guidelines Task Force.

Frank C. Attkisson, 57, of St. Cloud, is a County Commissioner in Osceola County. He is appointed for a term beginning August 2, 2013, and ending December 31, 2014.

Sonya C. Little, 47, of Tampa, is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Tampa. She is appointed for a term beginning August 2, 2013, and ending December 31, 2014.

Andy Tuck, 43, of Sebring, is a school board member for Highlands County. He is appointed for a term beginning August 2, 2013, and ending December 31, 2014.

George M. Burgess, 55, of Pinecrest, is the chief operating officer for Becker & Poliakoff. He is appointed for a term beginning August 2, 2013, and ending December 31, 2014.

Michael H. Olenick, 61, of Palm City, is the vice president of corporate affairs and chief compliance officer of The Morganti Group. He is appointed for a term beginning August 2, 2013, and ending December 31, 2014.

John “Jay” Smith, 39, of Tallahassee, is a vice president at Ajax Building Corporation. He is appointed for a term beginning August 2, 2013, and ending December 31, 2014.

###

El Paso P3 for Loop 375 barrels forward

Link to article here.

The rush to privatize Texas public roads...the ink barely dry on the legislation and onward TxDOT marches.

‘Huge:’ Last leg of Loop 375 OK’d
By David Crowder staff writer | Posted: Sunday, July 14, 2013 6:00 pm
El Paso Inc.

With no fanfare, the Texas Transportation Commission has approved the most expensive highway project in El Paso’s history: a nine-mile tolled expansion and extension of the Border Highway from U.S. 54 to Sunland Park Drive.

Construction of the toll-road project, approved by the commission at its June 27 meeting, will start early next year, take three years to complete and cost about $800 million.

The four-lane toll way will complete Loop 375 around El Paso, and it will require the demolition of 32 residences and businesses in the Downtown area.

Are certain Virginia toll roads unconstitutional?

Link to article here.

Are certain toll roads in Virginia unconstitutional?
by Tracy Sears
June 19, 2013
WTVR.com

A Portsmouth judge’s ruling over proposed tolls for tunnel crossings in Hampton Roads, could have far reaching implications for a 1995 law that allows public and private partnerships to help pay for the construction of new roads.

In May, Portsmouth Circuit Court Judge James A. Cales Jr., questioned the legality of such partnerships, and weeks later refused to stay his decision pending an appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court.

Virginia could face penalties  and liabilities of nearly $3.5 billion dollars if the judge’s ruling is upheld by the state’s high court.

The Public-Private Transportation Act, adopted by the Virginia General Assembly, was passed in an effort to use tolls as a way of generating millions of dollars for transportation projects.

Judge Cales ruled that public-private tolls were essentially a tax on Virginians and taxes could only be levied by the Virginia General Assembly, not private companies or the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Delegate John O’Bannon, R-Henrico, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, says Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton, warned lawmakers on Monday about the legal implications of the ruling.

“It’s a huge financial obligation to the commonwealth,” O’Bannon says.

O’Bannon says one of the biggest liabilities is The Pocahontas Parkway, a poor performing toll parkway between Chesterfield and Henrico counties.
If the high court upholds the judge’s ruling, the state could assume a $502 million dollar liability on the parkway alone.

“It’s important because it impacts all the other projects in the state that the same law has been used to build,” O’Bannon says, “like I-495 hot lanes and the I-95 lanes out of Washington to Stafford, and the new (Route) 460 project.”

Earlier this year, the governor decided against plans to place a toll on I-95 in Sussex County and between Richmond and Fredericksburg after an outcry from the public.

However, a deal was reached between lawmakers to build a second Midtown Tunnel between Portsmouth and Norfolk and upgrade the existing tunnel and the Downtown Tunnel, using tolls to help pay for the projects.

The Virginia Supreme Court is expected to hear the Portsmouth case by next spring.

Delegate O’Bannon says it will be up to lawmakers to rewrite the existing 1995 law, if the Virginia Supreme Court upholds the ruling.

Florida expands public private partnership law

Link to article here.

How is putting our tax rate in the hands of private corporations, known for charging oppressively high toll rates to use PUBLIC roads, living the American dream, Governor? What a laugh! Just like Texas Governor Rick Perry, they mistake being pro-business with being pro-special interests and crony capitalists where the government picks the winners and losers - not the free market.

Gov. Scott Ceremonially Signs HB 85 to Further Florida’s Public-Private Partnerships
July 19 News Release

Today, Governor Rick Scott ceremoniously signed House Bill 85, relating to public-private partnerships, alongside bill sponsors Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and Representative Greg Steube; Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón; City of Miami Commission Chairman Marc Sarnoff; Latin Builders Association President Bernie Navarro; and Chairman of the Board of Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida Carlos Adavin,along with other community advocates.

Governor Scott said, “Since I took office, our mission has been to create a job for every Floridian that wants one. As of yesterday, we have created more than 333,000 private-sector jobs. The signing of this legislation further ensures that Florida is a pro-business state, and that we will not stop until every Florida family has the opportunity to live their version of the American dream.”

Cintra profits on 407 jump 85% due to higher tolls

Link to article here.

Note that the reason the toll profits jumped wasn't because more people wanted to take the toll road, it's because Cintra's soaking the existing users with higher tolls to line their own pockets. The public good and taxation accountable to the people gets thrown under the bus with privatized toll roads.

Highway 407 profit up 85% in 2nd quarter
The Canadian Press
Jul 17, 2013

Toll highway operator 407 International Inc. said Wednesday it earned $75.7 million for the second quarter of this year, up from $40.9 million for the same period of 2012.

Revenues for the quarter totalled $205.2 million, up from $188.4 million.

The company, which operates Ontario's Highway 407, said there were 29.6 million trips on the highway, roughly the same as a year ago.

Average revenue per trip increased to $6.92, up from $6.37 in the second quarter of 2012.

The company is owned by a subsidiary of Ferrovial SA, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and SNC-Lavalin

KY: Tolls a four letter word

Link to article here.

Tolls a four-letter word at NKY Chamber meeting
By Scott Wartman
Cincinnati.com
July 12, 2013

FORT MITCHELL — Tolls became taboo at a meeting Friday morning at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. More than 50 business and political leaders discussed the possibility of private financing for the $2.5 billion Brent Spence Bridge replacement and other public projects.

The chamber attempted to distance the idea of tolling from private financing by bringing in experts to explain the variety of private financing of public projects elsewhere in Kentucky.

The fear that private financing will lead to tolling on the Brent Spence Bridge, however, kept many skeptical of allowing private money into the bridge construction.

Fraud lawsuit against toll giant, Macquarie

Link to article here.

New York: Fraud Lawsuit Proceeds Against Toll Road Firm
Financial insurance firm Syncora sues Macquarie over allegedly fraudulent toll road traffic forecasts.
July 16, 2013
TheNewspaper.com

A New York state court decided last Wednesday that a financial guaranty insurance company could sue a toll road company for fraud over a scheme to buy public infrastructure assets at hefty premiums. Syncora Guarantee Inc accused Macquarie, an Australian tolling giant, of misrepresenting a $500 million bond deal to refinance five US toll roads and bridges organized as American Roads LLC.

The financing deal was set up like a subprime mortgage, with payments on interest rate swaps starting low but growing over time, which backloaded the debt Macquarie used to buy the toll roads. Macquarie was counting on Syncora's insurance to achieve a Aaa bond rating, so the tolling firm promised Syncora that the toll roads would provide a reliable stream of revenue.

Pulling a fast one: TxDOT does end run around lawmakers with 'rule change'

Link to article here.

Dirty trick? TxDOT bypasses legislature to enact law through rule change
By Terri Hall
July 9, 2013
Examiner.com

How do you know when a public agency is out of control? It tries to bypass the legitimate branch of government charged with enacting law, in this case the Texas legislature, to make laws unto themselves using schemes like making an administrative ‘rule change’ instead. At a recent meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission (the body that governs the Texas Department of Transportation or TxDOT), it proposed a rule change that would, in effect, give the agency a blank check to enter into unlimited numbers of controversial public private partnerships (known as P3s, called Comprehensive Development Agreements or CDAs in Texas).

Indeed, they’d do it using the so-called ‘availability payment’ model, which they initially tried but failed to get passed as legislation, House Bill 3650, during the 83rd regular session of the legislature that ended Memorial Day. So it appears TxDOT is attempting to do through a rule change what they couldn't get done legitimately through the legislative process.

NAFTA superhighways underway in Texas

Link to article here.

NAFTA Superhighway underway in South Texas
By Terri Hall
July 8, 2013
Examiner.com

While there’s been much political angling and wrangling over whether or not the famed legacy project of Texas Governor Rick Perry, the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC), is dead or alive, the evidence points to it being alive and well and underway throughout Texas. The Trans Texas Corridor is the Texas portion of the NAFTA superhighways, often called high priority corridors, approved by Congress since the nineties. Two such corridors in Texas, I-69 and Ports to Plains, are advancing.

At its May meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission approved $11.2 million in funds to expand US 87 in Dawson County from the city of Lamesa south to the border of Martin County. Just a few months prior to this allocation, the Commission approved another $17 million widening project on Texas 349 between Lamesa and Midland. These projects are part of the Ports to Plains TTC corridor headed south into Texas from Colorado, mostly as incremental upgrades to existing highways.

South Bay Expressway meeting revenues, but why?

Link to article here.

A little history lesson is instructive here. This toll road went bankrupt in less than 3 years after opening. Traffic forecasts were off by nearly 40,000 cars a day! The public private partnership's bankruptcy forced the federal taxpayer to write down nearly $80 million of the federal TIFIA loan that subsidized the privatized tollway. So it's not hard to put this tollway in the black when it's starting with a much lower debt load thanks to taxpayers. So before they praise the private company, perhaps they should start telling the truth about why.

Toll Road’s Financial Strategy Working, Sandag Reports
San Diego Business Journal
Friday, July 5, 2013

The San Diego Association of Governments, the regional transportation planning agency, said reducing tolls on the state Route 125 toll road from Lemon Grove to the international border is working.

After one year of Sandag ownership, the road is seeing increased usage and meeting revenue targets established when Sandag acquired the 10-mile road.

Driving declines effect toll roads

Link to article here.

They can run but they can't hide. Toll advocates cannot deny the decline in driving as gas prices remain high. That means fewer people have the money to keep gas in their tanks much less handle the added expense of paying tolls on a daily basis. Toll roads will continue to be risky propositions that are an unsustainable, foolish way to address road funding shortfalls. They don't work!

Driving declines could challenge toll roads
By Robert Grattan
Austin Chronicle
Jun 21, 2013, 9:26am CDT

Americans are driving less, and that means less revenue for toll road operators such as SH130 Concession Co., according to a study by Fitch Ratings.

The conclusion could mean trouble for toll routes — including Central Texas' State Highway 130 — which was built by Spanish company SH130 Concession and its parent company Cintra. The road reportedly cost $1.3 billion, and the company will maintain and operate it for the next 50 years to recoup the cost.

PA Auditor blasts toll road law

Link to article here.

Pennsylvania Auditor Blasts Toll Road Law
Audit report shows Pennsylvania law that uses toll revenue to build mass transit projects has caused unsustainable debt.
The Newspaper.com
June 21, 2013

The Pennsylvania Turnpike's debt is unsustainable thanks to the state law that allowed the road to implement massive toll hikes, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale concluded. DePasquale released his findings Tuesday during testimony before the state House Transportation Committee.

"We developed this special report to call attention to the unforeseen impact that Act 44 of 2007 is having not only on the Turnpike, but on motorists and businesses across the state," DePasquale said. "As auditor general, I wanted to know what happens to the Turnpike toll rates motorists pay and what happens to the Turnpike debt if we do nothing to fix Act 44."

NAFTA superhighways slowly become reality

Link to article here.

NAFTA Superhighway Takes a Small Step Toward Reality
June 3, 2013
Trucking Info.com

The Texas Transportation Commission has added more than 100 miles of highway in southern and northeastern part of the Lone Star state to the Interstate 69 system.

A group of made up of Texas local governments and other groups, the Alliance for I-69 Texas, says the approval follows the Federal Highway Administration signing off on the plan.

Texas has renamed interstate-standard segments of U.S. 77 , U.S. 83 and U.S. 281. Interstate signs should being appearing in the next month or two.

Aussie firm dumps one VA toll road, new one struggles, too

Link to article here.

Virginia: Transurban Ditches Old Toll Road, New One Struggles
Australian toll road company dumps an old toll road in Virginia as a newly opened route struggles.
The Newspaper.com
June 25, 2013

Virginia's transportation policy has been dominated by tolling. Both Governor Bob McDonnell (R) and his predecessor Tim Kaine (D) saw the use of public-private partnerships as a means of raising revenue for the state while claiming not to have raised taxes. The tolling push continues with the construction of tolling infrastructure on existing lanes of Interstate 95, even though similar projects in the state are struggling to stay afloat.

On June 14, the tolling firm Transurban announced it had given up on running Virginia's Pocahontas Parkway and would be surrendering the toll road to lenders by October. The Australian company wrote off the entire road as a $138 million loss last June.
Page 23 of 29

Donate Now

Help us fight to preserve our rights and freedoms!
Make a secure donation today!
or donate by mail. We cannot do it without you!