Judging by the private-sector interest in a plan to expand Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway in Maryland, the state won't have any trouble finding willing partners.
"Maryland is moving forward on its plan to add four toll lanes to both Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway," report Andrew Metcalf.
"On Thursday, the state’s transportation department announced it received 27 responses to its request for initial information from companies interested in financing, building and operating the estimated $7.6 billion project," adds Metcalf.
The news about the state's plans to add the Capital Beltway and I-270 broke in September 2017, when the focus was on the project's potential to become the nation's largest ever public-private partnership.
The size of the project meant the request for initial information elicited global attention. Companies in seven companies responded to the request. Next up for the project—a request for proposals.
FULL STORY: State Gets 27 Initial Inquiries From Private Companies Interested in Widening I-270, Beltway

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)