Pennsylvania Is Closer To Privatizing Its Turnpike
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D) on May 18 announced a $12.8-billion winning bid for a 75-year lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike by a team of Citi Infrastructure Investors and Spain’s Abertis Infraestructuras. The lease payment would be dedicated to road and bridge repair and support 73 public transit agencies across the state, says Rendell. However, the bid still needs to win the acceptance of the state legislature and Pennsylvania Turnpike officials who oppose the deal. “This decision really is in the hands of the legislature,” said Carl DeFabo, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. DeFabo noted that leasing of the turnpike could have an effect on what or how much work contractors may receive. The Pennsylvania Turnpike did business with more than 100 engineering and design contractors in 2007, DeFabo says. Abertis is one of the world’s largest private toll-road operators, managing more than 2,000 miles of toll roads. It indirectly manages another 3,000 miles of toll roads in 10 countries.