The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is taking a new approach on how it will deliver projects throughout the state for roads and bridges, rail, aviation, ports and other means of transportation. The state’s transportation agency is seeking unsolicited proposals from the private sector for innovative ways to address transportation needs on PennDOT-owned projects and infrastructure. The deadline for submitting proposals in Oct. 31.
The proposals can address either new transportation services and programs, or offer proposals that will create more efficient means of transportation in existing systems.
PennDOT seeks these unsolicited proposals on behalf of the state’s Public-Private Transportation Partnership Board every April and October. The seven-member board was established by the Pennsylvania public-private partnership law that allows state and transportation authorities and commissions to work with private firms for solutions addressing the delivery, maintenance and financing of transportation-related projects in the state.
Once proposals are made, the board will examine them and decide if they provide a more cost-effective administration of what is currently a state operation. If the board approves moving forward on such projects, the private firm will be asked to submit a proposal and contract with the state agency to take over that operation either full-time or for a set period of time.
P3 projects in Pennsylvania, according to its P3 law, are either new construction projects that will result in additional capacity to the transportation system, or will upgrade existing facilities to either add new capacity or provide better performance. To view guidelines for the solicitation process, click here.
The Commonwealth is also currently accepting applications for a total of $40 million in grants from its Multimodal Transportation Fund for FY 2016-17 to pay for improvement projects. Deadline for applications is Dec. 18. These grants will fund local transportation projects that will provide contracting opportunities while creating jobs.
The fund was created in 2013 to address road and bridge projects. Funding has since been expanded to provide additional money for transit, aviation, rail freight and pedestrian and bicycle projects.