Federal and State Policymakers Headline ARTBA 2024 P3 Conference

What happened: Top federal policymakers, state legislators and transportation officials, and industry executives gathered at ARTBA’s annual Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) in Transportation Conference July 16-18 in Washington, D.C., to share strategies for maximizing the effectiveness of P3s and other forms of alternative delivery.

Among the highlights:

Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), detailed how the agency is investing $66 billion from 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to upgrade the nation’s freight and passenger rail system. Bose noted the heavily-traveled, 457-mile Northeast Corridor, which handles more than 2,000 commuter trains and 50-60 freight trains daily – generating 20 percent of U.S. GDP – is receiving $16.4 billion in grants for 25 passenger rail projects.
Several state officials provided updates on key projects, including Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry (16-mile Express Lane expansion of I-285), Virginia Department of Transportation Commissioner Stephen Brich (I-95 bidirectional and I-495 southside improvements), Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley (I-24 “Choice Lanes”) and North Carolina Department of Transportation COO Chris Peoples (Mid-Currituck Bridge).
Other sessions addressed progressive project delivery, multi-modal projects, the politics of P3s, long-term operations and maintenance agreements, nurturing of future industry leaders, and project development resources available from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau.

Why it matters: As economic growth demands improved infrastructure, many states lack resources to tackle transportation mega-projects without deploying private sector resources and innovations – while sharing both the risks and rewards.

Best P3 conference quote: “If we do nothing, the cost of congestion will more than double by 2050.” – GDOT Commissioner McMurry.