Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 1, 1993 TAG: 9310010185
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"We believe we have got to get the private sector involved in financing highway improvements that are necessary," said the official, Rodney E. Slater, administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, in his first meeting with reporters since President Clinton appointed him in June.
The proposal, not yet a specific plan, has the support of Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, according to a spokesman, who added that the secretary generally backed public-private partnerships in transportation.
The Reagan and Bush administrations had similar goals. Critics raised concerns that such policies could lead to profiteering at the public's expense, and asked why the government could not provide services as efficiently as private industry.
Slater estimated the cost of needed highway construction and maintenance at $200 billion, with an additional $90 billion needed for bridge repairs. Budget restraints made it unlikely that the government would provide such funds, he said.
Private interests would probably raise existing tolls and charge new tolls to make a profit, he said. But he added that public pressure would keep the tolls within reasonable bounds.
His proposal won cautious support on Capitol Hill. Rep. Bob Carr, a Michigan Democrat who is chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, said the government had to rethink the way it financed highways.
"Maybe, in a way that was not previously possible, the private sector can have a role here," he said. "But I don't think it's acceptable to just erect toll booths all over the place. If that's what it takes, I think we'll have a rebellion."
Rep. Norman Y. Mineta, a Democrat from California who is chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, praised a newly built private toll road in the San Joaquin Hills and urged the further use of "public-private partnerships" in transportation.
Turning any stretch of the interstate system over to a private company would require the approval of both Congress and the states.
Slater did not mention any specific highways as likely candidates, but noted that those in the worst disrepair were in the Northeast.
by CNB