AN OVERVIEW OF HIGHWAY PRIVATIZATION. INTERIM REPORT

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), like many state transportation agencies, is faced with limited resources to address growing transportation problems. A variety of non-traditional public and private financing methods are available. Greater private-sector involvement in the financing, constructing, and operating of highway infrastructure may be necessary to assist public agencies in resolving transportation problems. The California AB680 program and Virginia's Dulles Toll Road are good examples of private-sector participation. These experiences are similar to those used throughout Europe and Japan. Texas' experience with toll roads has been primarily through the Texas Turnpike Authority, although nine private toll road corporations have been authorized. The future effectiveness of a privatization program in Texas is contingent on policy directions from the Texas Transportation Commission and the ability of the private sector to work with TxDOT in addressing transportation problems.