Mass panel can push P3 law

Massachusetts has set up a panel to explore if ‘the Bay State’ might engage the private sector vis-à-vis its transportation infrastructure.

 

Governor Deval Patrick approved a seven person team for the newly created ‘Special Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Commission,’ according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

 

The state, located in the New England region of the US, included enabling public-private partnership (PPP or P3) language in a 2009 transportation reform law.

 

Under the four-year-old legislation, Massachusetts can issue a request for proposal (RFP) for a P3 involving transportation so long as a commission has granted approval. A PPP, under the 2009 law, is outlined as a design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) project.

 

Named to Special Public-Private Partnership Commission for a four year term are Joseph Dorant, Alan Macdonald, Valerie Mosley and John Olver.

 

Dorant is president of the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists. Macdonald is a MassDOT board member. Mosley is chief executive of Valmo Ventures and Olver is a onetime Congressman.

 

Radcliffe Institute senior project advisor David Luberoff, John Vitigliano, former Boston Transportation commissioner, and 495/MertoWest Corridor Partnership deputy director Jessica Strunkin were also appointed to the Committee.

 

Patrick, a Democrat, was elected governor in 2007.