Interviews

As a primary source of research, the team conducted interviews through person-to-person meetings, phone calls, and emails. Several high-ranking current and former state transportation officials as well as representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, Fluor-Transurban, and legal experts provided valuable insight. Additionally, our outreach expanded to various administrators in local government, representatives from organized labor groups, and academicians who research and study transportation and urban planning. The interviewees were credible sources that had a working knowledge about transportation funding and public-private partnerships. These people were also able to address the prospects of moving forward with such arrangements.

The research team traveled locally to meet with the interviewees located in the VA/MD/DC metropolitan area. The interviews lasted from one to three hours. Due to the diversity of audience experience and opinion, each interview took on a slightly different tone and accordingly, the team tailored questions to capitalize on the interviewees' area of responsibility and expertise. To protect the confidentiality of the interviewees and avoid undue scrutiny of public officials, this report does not disclose the names or positions of individuals who unselfishly provided many valuable hours that assisted us in our efforts. In addition, this report does not link interviewees' positions or responses to specific thoughts or statements by the researchers.