Wilson provided the media perspective in a session titled, “Importance of Freeway Operations in Post-Trust-Fund Era.” Representatives from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), The Reason Foundation and the Missouri Department of Transportation offered other viewpoints on industry funding realities.
“The gist is that the $500 billion needed for SAFETEA-LU reauthorization is unlikely to be achieved,” said Wilson. “In this economy, it will be difficult for the government to increase the gas tax. Until the trust fund catches up with technology – and it will take up to 20 years to implement road-user fees – public-private partnerships will play a large role in upgrading the system.”
“Public-private partnerships are no magic bullet for solving funding issues, but you will get open-road tolling, HOV/HOT lanes and other innovative strategies for reducing congestion,” said Wilson. “Public-private partnerships put a face behind a corridor, making the entity of taking your money directly accountable for its condition.”
Wilson cited examples of proposed and completed partnership projects such as the Chicago Skyway, Indiana Toll Road, Pennsylvania Turnpike and Missouri DOT’s Safe & Sound Bridge Program.
Based on the outcomes of these projects, Wilson recommended shortening the leases to no more than 20 years, with the opportunity to re-bid for better terms, and reinvesting money back into other transportation improvement projects.
Wilson also discussed other issues that will impact future public-private partnerships, including government regulation of a national mileage-based fee and the maximum amount American motorists will be willing to pay for tollways.
Roads & Bridges magazine will provide an in-depth investigation of infrastructure funding and its impact on our nation’s transportation industry during its upcoming Roads & Bridges Live: State of the Industry – Funding Conference on June 3-4, 2009, to be hosted in the Washington, D.C., area. For additional conference information, visit www.roadsbridgeslive.com.
