Tyler Duvall, associate principal with McKinsey and Co, predicted that more P3 projects will emerge in the U.S. over the next 15 years as efficiency issues become more urgent.

Lauro Bravar, CEO for the south region of OHL USA Inc., a unit of the Spanish parent, emphasized that selective criteria, including countries with stable politics, help drive the decisions as to which P3 projects the firm chooses to pursue, he said.

Europe went through the same growing pains 30 years ago that the U.S. is experiencing now, he added. "We had to learn how to finance our own jobs; there was no government money. Now we know how to deal with banks, lawyers and consultants."