The Federal Highway Administration this month gave Arizona approval to proceed with plans for the state's first major public-private-partnership project, the $1.9-billion Loop 202/South Mountain freeway in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
FHWA signed a record of decision March 5, and according to the Arizona Dept. of Transportation, the agency will immediately begin acquiring right-of-way, selecting the construction team and finalizing plans. Five development teams have submitted statements of qualifications to ADOT and will move on to the next stage of the selection process. The final development team is expected to be chosen by January 2016.