PennDOT Seeks Private Partners For Major Bridge Initiative

PENNSYLVANIA — A state-level initiative aimed at badly needed work on important interstate bridges is asking the private sector to submit statements of qualification to be considered for partnership with the state.

Pennsylvania's Public-Private Transportation Partnership Office is inviting private sector candidates to compete for the opportunity to enter into a progressive public-private partnership (P3) with PennDOT to administer the Major Bridge P3 Initiative. Qualification statements are due by Aug. 5.

"While we’re reaching out to the public and evaluating the candidate bridges for this initiative, we’ve seen significant private-sector interest in this program," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. "This initiative will quickly address and fully pay for badly needed work on important interstate bridges and make work on other projects possible."

The private development entity chosen for the P3 will enter into a pre-development agreement to design, build, finance, and maintain one or more bridge packages. Each package will include select bridges and associated infrastructure, including tolling infrastructure, gantry structures, and toll buildings for each bridge.

The department continues to evaluate and conduct public involvement and environmental reviews on the candidate bridges announced for consideration in February.

Interested proposers must submit an electronic copy of their statement of qualifications to design, build, finance, and maintain major interstate or expressway bridges and associated roadway and tolling infrastructure to PennDOT Public-Private Transportation Partnership Office as instructed in the Request for Qualifications document. The deadline is 11 a.m. Aug. 5, PennDOT said.

Parties can view submission requirements on the Major Bridges Program page at www.P3.pa.gov.

The project was approved by the state's P3 Board on Nov. 12, 2020, and since then PennDOT has hosted three industry forums to educate potential, private-sector stakeholders on the scope and requirements. This is in addition to public outreach being conducted for the PennDOT Pathways transportation funding initiative, National Environmental Policy Act requirements for each candidate bridge, and varied legislative and stakeholder engagement.

Act 88 of 2012, the state’s transportation P3 law, allows PennDOT and other state agencies, transportation authorities, and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in delivering, maintaining, and financing transportation-related projects. The law created the seven-member Public-Private Transportation Partnership Board, appointed to examine and approve potential public-private transportation projects.

Upon board approval, the department or appropriate transportation agency can advertise a competitive RFP and enter into a contract with a company to completely or partially deliver the transportation-related service or project.

To learn more about P3 in Pennsylvania, visit www.P3.pa.gov. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

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