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Position paper expands on earlier letter to governors on PPP transportation deals

By Jim Berard (202) 226-5064

The Chairmen of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit today released a document outlining their concerns over public-private partnerships in transportation.

The position paper by Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar (Minn.), and Subcommittee Chairman Peter A. DeFazio (Ore.) expands on points made in a May 10th letter to governors, key legislators, and top transportation officials in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The position paper has been sent to all officials who received the May 10th letter.

“Under the right circumstances and conditions, public-private partnerships (“PPPs”) can lead to more efficient and effective construction, management, operation, and maintenance of transportation facilities. Where private financing is involved, PPPs can supplement—but not provide a substitute for—public investments in transportation improvements,” the paper reads.
The paper stresses that preserving the integrity of our integrated national surface transportation system and protecting the public interest is paramount when states and localities enter into such PPP agreements.

The Highways and Transit Subcommittee has held three hearings on PPPs so far this year, and will continue to study the issue as the Committee works toward reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs. The authorization sets federal transportation funding formulas for several years. It is due in 2009. 

Click here to link to .pdf file of PPP position letter 

Click here to link to .pdf file of the May 10th letter