The following was just recently posted to the ADOT website:
South Mountain Freeway Public-Private Partnership Concept Advances
‘Request for Information’ next step for public-private partnership proposa [sic]
The Arizona Department of Transportation has released a Request for Information related to the proposal to construct the South Mountain Freeway as a public-private partnership, if the freeway is approved through the ongoing federal environmental process. Those with an interest in the public-private partnership proposal are encouraged to submit comments to ADOT’s Office of P3 Initiatives by February 25.
The purpose of this Request for Information is to seek the industry’s perspective and feedback on specific questions, and to provide an opportunity for industry input on the overall procurement process for the proposed project. Interested organizations and individuals are encouraged to submit responses with detailed comments. The information contained in the responses to this Request for Information will help ADOT advance planning and development efforts for the project; help confirm or refine ADOT’s project procurement, financing and delivery approach; and may result in the launch of a formal Request for Proposals.
This Request for Information is the next step for the unsolicited public-private partnership proposal submitted to ADOT in 2013 – the first unsolicited proposal for a highway public-private partnership submitted to the agency. Under state law, ADOT is required to conduct a review of the proposal before deciding if the concept merits an open solicitation for other companies to submit competitive proposals.
The South Mountain Freeway remains a corridor under study, and this public-private partnership proposal has no impact on the ongoing environmental impact statement that is scheduled to be finalized in 2014. The environmental impact statement must be completed and acceptable to the Federal Highway Administration regardless of how the proposed project is funded or constructed.
See updates on the Loop 202 here.
