Overview

Across the U.S., many states and transportation authorities are exploring innovative financing and contracting mechanisms that can improve the efficiency, flexibility, and accountability of capital project management. This conference, sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation, examined "Transportation Development Partnerships" around the country, and the issues and best practices New York State should keep in mind as it considers how it might authorize similar partnerships. The conference was intended to inform key policymakers and stakeholders on the use of Transportation Development Partnerships, their value, when and where they are appropriate, where they have been successful, and how they can be structured to protect the public interest.

The conference featured expert speakers from universities, civic organizations, consulting firms, financial institutions, and federal and state agencies. It was attended by approximately 275 people.

Related Resources

• UTRC Briefing Papers on Public Private Partnerships in Transportation
• NYSDOT paper on "Transportation Development Partnerships": Executive Summary / Full Paper
• Conference Proceedings
• NYSDOT Website on Partnerships
• Conference Invitation

Agenda and Presentations

Welcome

• Robert E. Paaswell, Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering, and Director, University Transportation Research Center
• The Hon. Thomas J. Madison, Jr., Commissioner, N.Y.S. Department of Transportation
• The Hon. Michael R. Fleischer, Executive Director, N.Y.S. Thruway Authority
• The Hon. Richard L. Brodsky, Member of the N.Y. State Assembly; Chair of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
• The Hon. Thomas W. Libous, Member of the N.Y. State Senate; Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation

Public-Private Partnerships - Policy Issues

• Elliot Sander, The Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management - Facilitator
• Michael O'Malley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, USDOT - "Federal Perspective - Opportunities Presented Through Federal Legislation"
• Jeffrey Morales, Parsons Brinckerhoff - "California's Experience*"
• John Schmidt, Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP - "Key Elements of Privatization: The Chicago and Indiana Experience*"
• Frank Mauro, Fiscal Policy Institute - "A New York Perspective*"

Luncheon Speaker

• David M. Laney, Jackson Walker LLP; Chairman, Board of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) - "Texas to Amtrak - How Partnerships Can Work"

Partnership Agreements - Labor, Finance and Contract Considerations

• Yossi Berechman, University Transportation Research Center and the University of British Columbia, Facilitator
• Richard Norment, National Council for Public Private Partnerships - "National Overview*"
• Mysore Nagaraja, Metropolitan Transportation Authority - "MTA's Experience with Design-Build*"
• Laura Macdonald, Standard & Poor's - "Balancing Risks / Driving Forces Behind Transportation Partnerships*"
• Thomas Pelnik, Virginia Department of Transportation - "Virginia's Experience*"
• Christopher J. Leslie, Macquarie Securities (USA) Inc. - "A Private Sector Perspective*"

Partnership Projects - Real Life Examples

• Jeff Zupan, Regional Plan Association, Facilitator
• David A. Sigman, LCOR Incorporated - "JFK Terminal Four: Successful PPP in New York State*"
• George Tapas, PE, SE, URS Corporation - "Protecting the Public Interest Through Operating and Maintenance Standards*"
• Bill McGuinness, Skanska USA Civil, Inc. - "Cooper River Bridge and Autopista Central*"
• Robert Prieto, Fluor Enterprises, Inc - "Two Virginia Projects: The Pocahontas Expressway and the Washington Beltway HOT Lanes*"
• Jeff Goldstein, Bechtel Infrastructure Corp. - "The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and Georgia's I-75 / I-575 Northwest Corridor"

Concluding Remarks

• Robert E. Paaswell, Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering, and Director, University Transportation Research Center

*These presentations are © 2006 by their respective authors. Further use or publication requires consent of the author.

Pictures

Event Video

This event was recorded. Please contact Ellen Thorson to order a copy.