The upfront payment influenced the tolls directly and indirectly at different stages of the project, as summarised below and highlighted in Exhibit 2.8.
The upfront payment added $100.1 million to the total cost of the transaction to CCM; other costs being for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the CCT. This additional cost affected the toll directly and is reflected in CCM's proposed differential toll structure. See Exhibit 2.7.
The 'Business Consideration Fee' of $46.1 million in the $100.1 million offered, is particularly concerning. This fee increased the price of the transaction to CCM without this amount having any clear link to project costs. The toll would have been lower if the RTA had only asked for its $54 million estimated development costs.