On September 10, 2007, USDOT announced six interstate routes to participate in the Corridors of the Future program, a Federal initiative to reduce congestion and improve freight movement across the country.83 One of the primary objectives of the program is to illustrate the benefits of alternative financial models that involve private sector capital. The selected corridors include: I-95 from Florida to the Canadian border; I-70 in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; I-15 in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California; I-5 in California, Oregon, and Washington; I-10 from California to Florida; and I-69 from Texas to Michigan.
The proposals were selected for their potential to use PPPs, among other innovations, to reduce traffic congestion. The proposals contemplate building new roads and adding lanes to existing roads, building truck-only lanes and bypasses, and integrating real time traffic technology like lane management that can match available capacity on roads to changing traffic demands. USDOT is working with the states to finalize formal agreements that will detail the commitments of the Federal, state, and local governments involved. These agreements will outline the anticipated role of the private sector as well as how the partners will handle the financing, planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the corridors.
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83 U.S. Department of Transportation Names Six Interstate Routes as "Corridors of the Future" to Help Fight Traffic Congestion, USDOT, Press Release, September 10, 2007.