Pennsylvania P3 Board approves bridge, transit projects

Pennsylvania-welcome-signThe Pennsylvania Public-Private Partnership (P3) Board recently approved projects that will improve 34 bridges in Northampton County and assist in “transit development” at a Middletown train station.

“Public-private partnerships are one way that we can leverage private-sector ideas and resources to improve transportation in our state,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary and P3 Board Chair Leslie Richards says. “Whether started by the department or suggested by the private sector, we have many options to deliver improved or new services.”

The bridge project involves replacing 28 bridges and repairing six in Northampton County. PennDOT will serve in an “advisory capacity” on the project submitted by Clearwater Construction of Mercer, Pennsylvania.

The transit development project will involved in the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of “commercially viable facilities” on PennDOT-owned land near the Middletown train station, in addition to maintaining the train station. This spring, PennDOT will request “statements of qualifications” from the private sector for the project.

Since 2012, Pennsylvania has been working on P3 projects after the signing of the Public-Private Transportation Partnerships Act. It allows state transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies for financing, maintaining and building transportation projects. The P3 board examines all project submissions and PennDOT accepts unsolicited proposals in April and October each year.

More information on Pennsylvania’s P3 program is available at www.P3forPA.pa.gov.