A public-private partnership to build a tunnel connecting Norfolk with the city of Portsmouth under the Elizabeth River in Virginia has gone awry, saddling the public with increasing costs and, likely, more expenses in the future.
"The private proposal to build a new underwater tunnel in [the] congested port city [of Norfolk] was originally billed as a way for Virginia to get a crucial piece of infrastructure without having to put in a single dollar of state money," according to an article by Michael Laris.
"Instead, Virginia officials have agreed to spend slightly more than $580 million on the project, more than twice the investment from the companies behind the deal."
The article cites the Midtown Tunnel project, as it's known, as the latest example of public-private partnerships that failed to deliver on their promise of delivering cheap and efficient transportation investment. For example, according to Laris: "An Indiana toll road went bankrupt last year after falling short of traffic projections; in Chicago, a 75-year deal privatizing parking meters has been denounced by critics as an unnecessary giveaway."
Laris goes on to describe just how the public cost burden spun so far from its original promise, which representative from one of the companies on the private side of the equation comes from the state's unwillingness to charge the money necessary in tolling.
FULL STORY: Agreement for new submerged tunnel in Norfolk leaves Virginia underwater
Toll Rates at Center of Controversy in Public-Private Partnership in Virginia
Elizabeth River Tunnels, a complex project involving a new tunnel, rehabilitating two existing tunnels, and extending an expressway, is financed by a public-private partnership that includes tolls that Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) called "exorbitant."
North Carolina Inks its First Public-Private Partnership for Highway Construction
The state of North Carolina joins the roster of states working with the private sector to invest in highway infrastructure around growing urban areas.
Ohio's Experiment in Public-Private Partnership Just Tripled in Cost
The Portsmouth Bypass will provide Ohio's first test case of public-private partnership on a major transportation project. As such, the news about the project's ballooning costs could have been better.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
#/media/File:Traffic_approaching_Midtown_Tunnel_(5504927148).jpg){kind=link}
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service