Georgia Seeks Private Contractor To Build $1B Toll Lanes

Georgia’s first toll road funded with private investment and its most expensive transportation contract in history is seeking a contractor, offering hope to thousands of commuters traveling through Cobb and Cherokee counties – if they are willing to pay a fee.

The project, to build optional toll lanes alongside I-75 and I-575, could cost as much as $1 billion. If successful, it would be the first time after eight years of trying that a Georgia law intended to attract private investment into public roadbuilding yielded a finished project.

But it carries a risk: The private roadbuilders are to be paid back by toll money — and up to $300 million in taxpayer funds.

“It is historic,” said Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday, noting that the corridor was one of the most congested in the state.  “I think it will set a pattern as to whether or not you can go to this kind of cooperation with the private sector as a vehicle for advancing projects that state government does not have the money to do on its own.”

The state has given up on ever having enough money to solve Atlanta congestion with traditional road widening with taxpayer funds.  Instead the DOT has decided that any interstate highway expansions in the metro Atlanta area will be “managed” — likely tolled — and where possible, funded with private investment. DOT sees the I-75 project as one piece of a metro-wide system that could cost $16 billion, of which $7 billion would have to come from public funds.

Georgia DOT’s director of private toll projects, Gerald Ross, in a statement called the search for a contractor a “tremendous milestone.”

If the I-75 and I-575 project draws an acceptable bid and a contract is signed next year, the project could open to I-75′s 300,000 daily commuters in 2016, according to DOT officials.  It would build two reversible toll lanes from Akers Mill Road to the I-75/I-575 split, and one reversible lane on I-75 up to Hickory Grove Road, and one on I-575 up to Sixes Road.

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/1-billion-toll-lanes-1184490.html

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