“We’re putting public-private partnerships to work in ways that improve our services and efficiency while also improving communities,” PennDOT Secretary and P3 Board Chair Leslie S. Richards said. “Improvements are happening across the state because of our P3 program and I encourage the public to review the report to see how we’re working for them.”
Through the proposed wetland mitigation bank, a PennDOT-owned, 140-acre site in Chalfont, Bucks County, would be developed so PennDOT and private developers can meet federal environmental requirements by applying for credits to offset environmental impacts on projects.
A private entity would be selected to operate, finance and maintain the site, streamlining the environmental review process as well as project timelines compared to establishing separate sites for each applicable project.
Once established, the department anticipates it would use up to half of the credits provided through the wetland bank for projects in its King of Prussia- and Allentown-based engineering districts.
The remaining credits would be periodically released by the private partner, generating revenue from private-sector developers needing to offset environmental impacts.
Following the board’s approval, the department estimates an approximately two-year project timeline: advertise a request for qualifications in December; select shortlisted firms to proceed to request for proposals stage in March 2018; issue a request for proposals in May 2018 and select a preferred proposer in August 2018.
In taking a phased approach to site development, the short-term goal would be to have portions of the site ready to provide wetland credits in two to three years from proposer selection.
The project concept was submitted by Magnolia Land Partners LLC for consideration during the unsolicited proposal period in October 2016.
PennDOT accepts unsolicited proposals for transportation projects in April and October each year.
The Public-Private Transportation Partnerships Act was signed into law in September 2012 and authorized P3 projects in Pennsylvania. This law allows PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in delivering, maintaining and financing transportation-related projects.
As part of the P3 law, the seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board was appointed to examine and approve potential public-private transportation projects.
If the board determines a state operation or project would be more cost-effectively administered or delivered by a private company, the department or appropriate transportation agency can advertise a competitive RFP and enter a contract with a company to completely or partially deliver the transportation-related service or project.
To view the 2016-17 Annual Report, visit the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Board webpage.
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