As public officials begin to look at 2021, many are preparing to launch large infrastructure projects. Several of these efforts may be delivered through public-private partnerships (P3s). Most infrastructure-related projects are complex, diverse, critical in nature, and costly. Here are a few worthy of note.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is conducting an engineering and environmental study related to roadway improvements on a 38-mile section of US 180 between the communities of Bayard and Deming. This study has been underway for several months, and recommendations are expected early in 2021. The study is exploring various options for roadway improvement.
Planned technology purchases point to an abundance of identity tracking cameras in 2021. Surveillance cameras, tracking devices, monitoring, recording, and capturing data – that’s the future. The purchase of camera tracking technology is a very large and strong trend.
Montgomery College has allocated $85.7 million for the design and construction of a new student services center. Wayne State University has announced plans to renovate a former library for the support and expansion of STEM education. Officials at the Central Oregon Community College Redmond Campus plan to spend $16 million to add more classrooms and additional computer/lab space.
While waiting on Congress to create a national infrastructure bill, several cities have begun significant infrastructure initiatives this year. I rarely make predictions about anything. That’s because so few things are certain. However, I’m very comfortable making one. Congress will pass an infrastructure bill in the near future. When COVID-19 is finally controlled, Congress will aggressively focus on stimulating the economy and creating jobs, and nothing will result in quicker economic stimulus and job creation than infrastructure reform. Promises made must be kept – and there is bipartisan support in Congress.
Will Congress be willing to fund billions more for water infrastructure? There are thousands of critical issues facing Congress, but few are more significant than the funding of water infrastructure in America. Because elected officials have had a total focus on COVID-19 these last few months, capturing the attention of government leaders has been almost impossible. But, that must happen because the availability of clean and adequate water resources impacts every citizen, industry, and region of the country.
Although large airport projects dominate the news, smaller regional airports are announcing numerous immediate upcoming projects. Record growth at regional airports along with projections that the growth will continue for decades is driving expansion, upgrades, and new construction. Many of the projects are quite large. The smaller, but crucial, airports are significant economic drivers which are critical to regional growth. Support for the expansion of these types of facilities is significant at all levels of government.