WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than 350 transportation design and construction executives, financial services and consulting professionals, and government officials came to the Nation's Capital Sept. 15-16 to explore the important role of public-private partnerships (P3s) in building transportation improvement projects. They participated in the American Road & Transportation Builders Association's (ARTBA) special 20th Annual Public-Private Ventures (PPV) in Transportation Conference. The event showcases the latest information on best practices, procedures and financing models for private participation in transportation infrastructure financing.

House Highways & Transit Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) noted the value of P3s, but also discussed the need to help ensure the "public interest is protected."

Sessions focused on high occupancy toll lanes, truck-only toll lanes, the value of risk transfer, and future P3 opportunities in the highway, transit and airport markets. Case studies on projects in Pennsylvania, Florida and internationally were also on the agenda.

Alison Black, ARTBA vice president of policy, outlined the potential $20-30 billion in new P3 market opportunities that could come with the association's "Critical Commerce Corridors" (3C) proposal—a 25-year construction program aimed at adding new intermodal capacity to safely and efficiently move goods. ARTBA is calling on Congress to include 3C in the next multi-year surface transportation investment bill.

During a special dinner, ARTBA highlighted its P3-related legislative achievements at the federal level, and recognized more than 50 industry executives, public agencies and private sector firms for their outstanding advocacy and leadership in promoting the "practice, use and adoption" of P3s during the past 20 years.