Research Question #1
1. Virginia's partnership with Fluor-Transurban satisfies NCPPP's six criteria for a successful public-private partnership and we predict its success.
2. Since highway PPPs are still in their nascent stages of operation and no projects of this magnitude currently exist in Virginia, it is difficult to facilitate an equivalent comparison.
Research Question #2
3. Maryland's highest transportation priority is system preservation.
4. Given the limited financial resources for current projects, expanding the Capital Beltway is currently cost-prohibitive using traditional financing methods.
5. The potential environmental impacts of Beltway expansion and the resulting political opposition may create an contentious environmental approval process.
6. There is limited local support for expansion of the Capital Beltway in Maryland.
7. Montgomery County and Prince George's County have other transportation priorities.
8. There is a lack of political consensus on how to move forward with expanding capacity on the Capital Beltway.
Research Question #3
9. Maryland does not have adequate legislation to pursue public-private partnerships for highway projects.
10. Maryland does not currently have a political champion for highway related public-private partnerships.
11. Maryland's TP3 Guidelines prohibit unsolicited proposals for highway projects.
12. Maryland already has a tolling authority (MDTA) to help finance highway projects.
13. Local opposition to tolling will likely prevent Maryland from pursuing a PPP agreement for the Capital Beltway.
From these key findings emerged the following conclusions and recommendations:
Conclusion 1: Virginia has an extensive history of successful public-private partnerships that has enabled them to be a leader in this innovative method of constructing and financing highway projects.
Conclusion 2: Maryland does not have the support necessary to widen the Capital Beltway.
Conclusion 3: Maryland is not well-suited to enter into a public-partnership for highway projects.
Recommendation 1: NCPPP should continue its educational activities across all sectors to enhance knowledge of public-private partnerships and their applicability to transportation projects, specifically the expansion of the Capital Beltway in Maryland.
Recommendation 2: NCPPP should continue its relationship with the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University as a means of furthering research into topics relating to the Beltway and PPPs. Topics recommended for future research include:
• The politics of PPPs: Exploring the roles and positions of the executive and legislative branches in implementing PPP transportation projects
• PPPs and the Maryland General Assembly
• Issues and options pertaining to a comprehensive approach to regional congestion management (e.g. highway expansion, smart growth, transit options, etc.).