Although PRHTA had contemplated building the bridge for a number of years, the cost of construction and traffic demand risks associated with the facility limited PRHTA's ability to undertake the project, leading it to seek a private partner to develop the project.
In August 1990, the Puerto Rico Legislature approved Act No. 4, which amended the PRHTA Act to allow PRHTA to enter into concession agreements with private entities for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of highway projects. Under Act No. 4, ownership of the transportation assets would be retained by PRHTA, but private sector developers could finance projects by leveraging future toll proceeds. PRHTA had already identified the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge as a priority corridor to advance to implementation on a P3 basis.