Infrastructure at the Speed of Light
Article that explores the East End Crossing project in Indiana, a part of the larger Ohio River Bridges project, provides details of how this project was put on the fast-track and how the private market responded to the project. Discusses unique features of the deal, specifically how Indiana retained the risks regarding environmental litigation, related work stoppages, right of way acquisition and utility relocation, and how INDOT established a “relief events allowance” valued at $45 M to provide a mechanism to handle compensation from unexpected events, upon project completion these funds will be split 50-50 between the project developer and the state. This provides an incentive for the contractor to limit these claims and provide better services.
This article provides a recap of primary findings from a report released in April 2013 by the nonprofit Pacific Research Institute. The report provides a critical review of the Irvine based Transportation Corridor Agencies which oversees 51 miles of tollways, the biggest system of its type in the state. The study looked at the economic health of the San Joaquin Hills and Foothill-Eastern corridors, two toll networks that were once touted as an innovative way to build public highways without taxpayer money. After a thorough examination of these tollways, the study concluded that TCA’s leadership postpone a current road project and stop borrowing money until state authorities can thoroughly review the operations.