Angie Schmitt and Payton Chung have created a three-part series on the Indiana Toll Road and how its example informs the use of private finance to build and maintain highways.
The first article details how the high profile bankruptcy of the Indiana Toll Road (back in September) came amidst "excitement about an 'emerging market' in privately-financed American road-building…" The article details the signs that should have indicated trouble ahead for the road as well as the potential fallout from the bankruptcy (which has since been resolved by a bankruptcy court).
The second article examines how Australian firm Macquarie manages its infrastructure assets. Macquarie was one of two firms who bought the Indiana Toll Road in 2006 for $3.8 billion, which at the time was the largest infrastructure privatization deal in U.S. history. Unrealistic projections and highly leveraged financing package meant the company quickly racked up debt on the deal, but the article explains how Macquarie still managed to make money off the project.
The third article examines the faulty traffic projections that pave the way for bad projects as well as some of the costs paid by public as a result of bad investments. Infrastructure financing and construction firms, according to the article, have financial reasons to inflate traffic projections, which has lead to unnecessary highway construction all over the country.
FULL STORY: The Indiana Toll Road and the Dark Side of Privately Financed Highways
Tolls vs Taxes and the State of the American Highway
Making up only seven percent of U.S. interstate miles, the future of toll roads is bright according to Brooking's Robert Puentes and Diane Rehm's other guests in a 52-minute, wide ranging discussion on gas taxes, toll roads, and privatization.
No Shortage of Investors Lining Up to Operate Bankrupt Toll Road
Many were surprised when the Indiana Toll Road's operator declared bankruptcy on September 22. Just as surprising may be all the interest by global investors in bidding to replace the bankrupt Australian-Spanish consortium as the new operator.
Another (Surprising) Toll Road Bankruptcy
It wasn't supposed to go this way. When Indiana leased the state's namesake, but failing, 157-mile toll road for $3.8 billion to an Australian-Spanish consortium in 2006 for 75 years, analysts predicted a handsome return for investors.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research