Angie Schmitt and Payton Chung have created a three-part series on the Indiana Toll Road and how its example informs the use of private finance to build and maintain highways.
The first article details how the high profile bankruptcy of the Indiana Toll Road (back in September) came amidst "excitement about an 'emerging market' in privately-financed American road-building…" The article details the signs that should have indicated trouble ahead for the road as well as the potential fallout from the bankruptcy (which has since been resolved by a bankruptcy court).
The second article examines how Australian firm Macquarie manages its infrastructure assets. Macquarie was one of two firms who bought the Indiana Toll Road in 2006 for $3.8 billion, which at the time was the largest infrastructure privatization deal in U.S. history. Unrealistic projections and highly leveraged financing package meant the company quickly racked up debt on the deal, but the article explains how Macquarie still managed to make money off the project.
The third article examines the faulty traffic projections that pave the way for bad projects as well as some of the costs paid by public as a result of bad investments. Infrastructure financing and construction firms, according to the article, have financial reasons to inflate traffic projections, which has lead to unnecessary highway construction all over the country.
FULL STORY: The Indiana Toll Road and the Dark Side of Privately Financed Highways
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.