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The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) have released a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the Interstate 70 (I-70) East P3 project .

The I-70 East project corridor extends through the eastern portion of the City and County of Denver.The current project limits extend (in abbreviated form) from the intersection of I-70 and I-25 east to Tower Road, a distance of approximately 11 miles. This portion of I-70 also intersects several railroad lines, I-270 and I-225.

The purpose of the project is to implement a transportation solution that improves safety, access and mobility. The need for the project results from the following issues:

• Increased transportation demand
• Limited transportation capacity
• Safety concerns; and
• Transportation infrastructure deficiencies

Tim Gagen, Chair of the HPTE Board of Directors, stated:

"Colorado must access all of the tools in the transportation financing toolbox to address our growing population and infrastructure needs. HPTE is committed to work with communities and stakeholders on the I-70 East and other projects. Engaging Colorado residents and stakeholders to understand the options is a very important part of the process and to the success of future public-private partnerships."

In late February CDOT recommended developing the project through a P3. According to the I-70 East Value for Money analysis, the I-70 East project is not affordable under a design build model, but can be afforded under both the design, build, operation and maintenance DBOM and design, build, finance, operation and maintenance (DBFOM) models.

The public release of the RFQ continues the implementation of the Transparency Policy adopted by HPTE in July 2014, which incorporates an Executive Order from Gov. John Hickenlooper directing CDOT to expand the transparency and public participation in future public-private partnerships. Since the adoption of the policy, HPTE has improved its processes and implemented various public education, transparency and outreach initiatives in targeted corridors.

During this week we have reported about several road PPP projects globally:

• Phase 2 of Highway 407 East P3 project - Canada
• Mombasa-Nairobi highway expansion PPP project - Kenya
• Dualling of Nairobi - Nakuru Road PPP project - Kenya
• Portsmouth bypass DBFOM P3 project - USA
• Rio-Niterói Bridge new concession - Brazil
• M-9 Hyderabad - Karachi motorway project - Pakistan
• Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange porject - Ireland
• Rapid Bridge Replacement P3 Project in Pennsylvania - USA