The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Office of Public-Private Partnerships (P3) recently began accepting unsolicited proposals from the private sector for transportation projects.
The private sector can submit proposals for PennDOT-owned projects and infrastructure, including aviation, bridges, ports, rail, and roads. The proposals must offer innovative ways to deliver transportation projects. They also can include more efficient methods for managing existing transportation-related services and programs.
Proposals also can be submitted directly to the P3 board for non-PennDOT-owned assets.
Applications will be accepted through Oct. 31. Interested applicants can find information on the unsolicited proposal review process on the state’s P3 website. Instructions on how to submit a project also can be found online.
Under the state’s P3 law, PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions can partner with private companies to deliver, maintain, and finance transportation-related projects. Transportation entities outside the governor’s jurisdiction, including transit authorities, may establish their own timelines or accept proposals year-round.
A seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board examines state operations to determine if it would be more cost-effective to have a private company administer a project and approves potential public-private transportation projects. Approved companies are authorized to submit a proposal and enter into a contract to either wholly or partially take over that operation for a defined period of time.