Since 2007, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) board of  directors has taken various steps to develop a framework for consideration of public-private partnerships (P3) as a project delivery method for priority transit and highway projects in Southern California. In 2009, Metro engaged an advisory and program management team led by InfraConsult LLC, of Los Angeles, to support the P3 program. Subcontractors to InfraConsult include KPMG, Nossaman, HDR, and Sharon Greene + Associates.

The team initially conducted a comprehensive screening and evaluation process, resulting in the selection of six projects for potential delivery as P3s:
•    Westside Subway Extension
•    Crenshaw/LAX LRT Corridor
•    Regional Connector
•    High Desert Corridor
•    I-710 South Freight Corridor
•    SR-710 North Gap Closure

The team is currently moving several of the selected projects into the procurement and implementation phase and is working closely with Metro staff, Caltrans, and a variety of cities and agencies to develop strategies for delivering these projects through concession or availability payment schemes utilizing private sector investment and suitable risk sharing with Metro. In total, some $15 to $20 billion in procurements will likely be procured over the next 18 months to 24 months as P3 programs.

Michael Schneider, managing partner of InfraConsult, serves as overall project director for the team, in collaboration with senior staff from the firm including Tesse Rasmussen, Kent Olsen, Kern Jacobson, Robert Garin and JD Douglas. By utilizing public-private partnership strategies for delivery, Metro expects to reduce project capital and operational costs significantly while delivering the projects to the public many years earlier than planned initially.

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