Parsons Pitches $3.5-Billion PPP Road Project in Colorado

Parsons Corp. has unveiled a $3.5-billion plan to relieve traffic congestion along Interstate 70, west of Denver. The firm proposes new bus rapid transit and tolled, reversible express lanes along 53 miles, from Denver's western suburbs to the town of Silverthorne. The lanes would be built within the highway's medians to save on right-of-way and infrastructure costs. The project would require new bores at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, which runs under the Continental Divide, and in the Twin Tunnels near Idaho Springs. The tunnels could be tolled separately to pay for upgrades.

Parsons estimates that toll revenue during the first 50 years could total $8.6 billion, which would produce surplus cash of $502 million after construction costs and debts are paid. The Colorado Dept. of Transportation is studying the technical and financing aspects of the plan, which would take the form of a public-private partnership with the agency. The expanded freeway could be completed by 2021.

Rolls Royce Joins Fluor Bid For DOE Small-Reactor Funding

Global manufacturer Rolls-Royce is joining Fluor Corp. in backing NuScale Power LLC, in which the contractor is the major investor, to seek U.S. Energy Dept. funding to commercialize the firm's small modular nuclear reactor (SMR)technology by 2025. NuScale uses light-water-reactor technology that is self-contained and installed underwater and underground, says Fluor. Rolls-Royce has significant nuclear skills and an existing supply chain, it adds. DOE is soliciting proposals for SMR projects that could be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NuScale is competing with Westinghouse and Holtec International for the remainder of the $452-million DOE funding. Babcock & Wilcox was awarded the first share last year.