Norway's widely distributed population and long distances results in an extensive network-approximately 27,000 kilometers of State roads and 64,000 of regional and local roadways. Facing risings costs of maintaining existing roadways and constructing new ones, the Norwegian parliament began discussing the use of public-private partnerships in February 2001.[128] The parliament then selected three road projects to test if the public-private partnership model will lead to greater efficiency through time and cost savings.
Under the Norwegian public-private partnership model, the private partners receive annual unitary payments based upon performance against a number of criteria related to accessibility, safety, and traffic levels. The model differs from that of other nations in the degree of independence and responsibility given to private partners in certain matters, including independence in choosing the method of construction and responsibility for maintaining aesthetic and environmental standards over the life of the contract.
In April 2003, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration signed the first public-private partnership contract in Norwegian history, partnering with a private company that will build, operate, and maintain the "E39 Klett-Bardshaug," situated in the middle of Norway. The company will be responsible for the road for a period of 25 years. Under the contract, tolling will be run by a State-owned, non-profit company, and the private partner will be paid solely based upon the terms of the public-private partnership contract. The Ministry estimates that the construction period has been reduced by 50 percent-from 4 years to 2 years.