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Innovative Finance Quarterly

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FHWA's Innovative Finance Quarterly

VOLUME 9, NUMBER 3
SUMMER 2003

In This Issue...

Federal Credit Program

Ground Breaks on SR 125 South Toll Road

On September 12, U.S. Transportation Secretary Normal Y. Mineta joined state and local officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the southernmost segment of the SR 125 South toll road project in San Diego, CA. SR 125 South was made possible in part by a $140 million loan provided under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Federal credit program. The project is the first supported by TIFIA to be advanced with private bank debt and substantial private sector equity.

"In addition to its other benefits, this project demonstrates how our innovative Federal financing tools can attract private investment to critical transportation projects," Secretary Mineta said. "TIFIA has provided an alternative to grants as a way of doing business, allowing private partners to share with the government the risk and rewards of infrastructure investment, thereby providing transportation, creating jobs, and contributing to economic growth."

SR 125 South is a privately developed, 9.2-mile toll road advanced under California's pioneering AB 680 toll road demonstration program, enacted in 1989. The project is being designed and constructed through a public-private partnership between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and California Transportation Ventures (CTV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Infrastructure Group (MIG). Through CTV, MIG is contributing more than $150 million in private at-risk equity. Additionally, four major local real estate developers are donating $48 million of land for right-of-way. In total, private equity and financing account for 78 percent of the project's costs. To connect the roll road to the local highway network, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is providing $139 million for northern segments of SR 125.

The TIFIA loan is an essential element of the project's financial plan, providing junior-lien debt with minimum repayments during the project's ramp-up period. Through this structure, TIFIA enhances the credit quality of the senior bank financing, consistent with the program's objective to improve transportation project access to capital markets. The SR South Toll Road project is a model for the future, demonstrating how innovative approaches can help meet today's transportation challenges.

telephone Contact: Suzanne Sale, TIFIA JPO, 602/379-4014, Suzanne.Sale@fhwa.dot.gov

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

SIB Highlights

Florida Leverages State-Funded Infrastructure Bank Program

The success of the Florida SIB can be measured in large part by the award to date of $500 million in loans that have leveraged over $3 billion in total project costs. Because of this success, however, the SIB has outgrown its capacity as a "pay-as-you-go" program to meet the needs demonstrated in solid project proposals that exceed available funds.

Senate Bill 24A was introduced during the 2003 legislative session to help address these needs. In the bill, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) proposed leveraging the existing state-funded SIB loan portfolio through borrowing in the tax-exempt public bond market. Models developed by FDOT demonstrated that a conservative approach could generate the ability to loan at least $100 million per year through a leveraged SIB beginning no later than July 2003. Assuming a conservative leveraging level of $6 for every $1 of SIB loan proceeds, this approach would leverage/advance about $600 million of project costs each year.

Governor Bush signed Senate Bill 24A, passed as part of the 2003A Special Legislative Session, on June 27, 2003. The bill authorizes FDOT to leverage the existing state SIB loan portfolio repayment stream, through the issuance of revenue bonds to provide a recurring source of loan funds. It also requires that projects selected for SIB loans must become part of FDOT's five-year work program beginning with projects selected for the 2003/2004 program year.

Florida SIB Leveraging Potential

This figure shows that for every $100 million loaned from the leveraged SIB each year, $600 million in project costs could be supported.

Key Considerations

Florida's leveraged SIB incorporates the following key features:

  • A leveraged SIB would operate in the same manner as the current SIB program for accepting project applications and selecting projects.
  • No state revenue sources would be pledged to repay debt or to backstop debt repayment. The sole primary source to repay bonded debt would be the SIB loan repayment stream.
  • The key policies and guidelines of the existing SIB would continue.
Costs of Leveraging

The existing SIB program provides loans at a subsidized interest rate compared to market rates. The SIB funds the subsidy from available capitalized funds. This would continue in a leveraged SIB program. The increased costs would likely include:

  • Bond issuance costs (taken from each bond issue).
  • Bond insurance to provide marketable bonds at an AAA-rated level. The cost of bond insurance could be shared with project sponsors.
  • Establishment of a debt service reserve (overall for all bonds) or loss reserve fund (set aside for each project based on its credit profile) for repayment of bonded debt. This is not a cost, but a deduction of available funding that generally cannot be used for loans in the short or medium terms.
Current Leveraging Activities

FDOT is working with the State of Florida, Division of Bond Finance to prepare a Request for Proposals for solicitations to participate in the financing of the leveraged SIB. Additionally, FDOT currently is accepting loan applications for the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 fiscal years in anticipation of leveraging the existing loan portfolio. These loans will be awarded in November 2003 and will be contingent on the sale of bonds to provide leveraged proceeds for lending purposes. Beginning with the 2005/2006 work program cycle the leveraged SIB will advertise annually for projects to be included in the work program development cycle.

Additional information on the Florida SIB, activities regarding the leveraging of this program, or contact information is available at: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/financialplanning/finance/sib.shtm

telephone Contact: Gene Branigan, FDOT, 850/414-4421, gene.branigan@dot.state.fl.us or

Annette Dann, FDOT, 850/441-5528, annette.dann@dot.state.fl.us

SIB Loans Approach $4.5 Billion

New SIB loan agreements over the past quarter are nearing a milestone. As shown in the table below, 32 states have entered into 347 loan agreements with a dollar value of nearly $4.5 billion as of June 30, 2003.

State Infrastructure Bank Loan Agreements by State
As of June 30, 2003

State Infrastructure Bank Loan Agreements by State
As of June 30, 2003
State Number of Agreements Loan Agreement Amount ($000) Disbursements to Date ($000)
Alaska 1 $ 2,737 $ 2,737
Arizona 43 436,000 352,880
Arkansas 1 31 31
Colorado 8 5,890 5,890
Delaware 1 6,000 6,000
Florida 37 515,600 244,212
Indiana 2 6,000 5,715
Iowa 2 2,874 2,874
Maine 23 1,758 1,635
Michigan 23 17,034 13,033
Minnesota 15 95,719 77,000
Missouri 13 92,057 72,853
Nebraska 1 3,360 3,360
New Mexico 2 14,133 14,133
New York 5 15,450 12,000
North Carolina 2 1,713 1,713
North Dakota 2 3,565 1,565
Ohio 47 196,370 140,989
Oregon 14 19,221 18,321
Pennsylvania 34 24,252 21,265
Puerto Rico 1 15,000 15,000
Rhode Island 1 1,311 1,311
South Carolina 6 2,643,000 1,545,693
South Dakota 1 11,740 11,740
Tennessee 1 1,875 1,875
Texas 41 252,191 244,192
Utah 1 2,888 2,888
Vermont 4 1,049 1,016
Virginia 1 18,000 12,739
Washington 3 2,375 442
Wisconsin 3 1,814 1,814
Wyoming 8 77,977 42,441
TOTAL 347 $4,488,984 $2,879,357

Florida continues to set the pace for SIB innovations. As reported in the winter 2003 issue of IFQ, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has established a state-funded SIB, expanded eligibility for a broader range of projects, and provided flexible loan options for its borrowers. This issue of IFQ highlights FDOT's most recent achievement: legislative approval to leverage its SIB, thus gaining even more financing capacity to advance needed transportation projects throughout the state.

telephone Contact: Phyllis Jones, FHWA, 202/366- 2854, phyllis.jones@fhwa.dot.gov

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

FY 2004 TIFIA Applications Now Being Accepted

Letters of Interest and applications for Federal credit assistance under TIFIA are currently being accepted for FY 2004, pending Congressional action on the re-authorization of the Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The TIFIA program expires along with TEA-21 on September 30, 2003. However, there is every indication that any short-term extension to TEA-21 will include partial-year funding for the TIFIA program tied to the length of the extension. Therefore the TIFIA program is still very much in business and is anticipated to continue throughout the authorization of the new transportation bill. The Administration's Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA) proposal includes $2.6 billion in TIFIA credit assistance for FY 2004.

To date the TIFIA program has received six Letters of Interest in FY 2003 from projects seeking funding for transportation infrastructure projects throughout the country, as described below:

  • I-81 - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is advancing this $1.84 billion project under a public-private partnership in order to make multimodal improvements throughout the 325-mile I-81 corridor.
  • Pennsylvania High-Speed Maglev - A 54-mile magnetically-levitated system will extend from Pittsburgh International Airport to downtown Pittsburgh, Monroeville, and Greensburg. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) and the Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAAC) will be the project sponsors for this $3.5 billion project that is seeking $1.15 billion in TIFIA credit assistance. The project is being developed as a public-private partnership between PENNDOT, PAAC, and Maglev, Inc., a private company.
  • Intermodal Facility - The Southern California Logistics Rail Authority is seeking up to $150 million to help finance a $450 million Intermodal Facility in Victorville, California. The project will involve the construction of lead track from the BNSF/UP rail lines, along with the construction of an intermodal facility and related infrastructure.
  • LA-1 - This project involves the construction of a new four-lane, fully controlled access, elevated highway of about 16.3 miles paralleling the existing Louisiana Highway One from Louisiana Highway 3235 to Highway 3090. The Louisiana Transportation Authority and the Greater Lafourche Port Commission are co-sponsoring this project seeking credit assistance between $50-70 million.
  • Truck Stop Electrification - IdleAire technologies is seeking TIFIA assistance for a project to provide Truck Stop Electrification technology designed to reduce truck emissions and noise pollution.
  • Banks Transportation Improvement - The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, the City of Cincinnati, and Hamilton County are seeking $101 million in TIFIA assistance to help fund this $474 million project to provide highway, transit, and intermodal improvements in downtown Cincinnati.
Credit Assessments of TIFIA Projects
(in Millions)
Project Project Type Project Cost Instrument Type Credit Amount Credit Rating:
Senior Debt Obligations
Credit Rating:
TIFIA Loan
Primary Revenue
Pledge
Current Status Federal Budget Score:
% of Credit Amount
Federal Budget Score:
Capital Reserve
Miami Intermodal Center Intermodal $1,349 Direct Loan $269.076 A- A- Tax Revenues Agreement 0.39% $1.049
Miami Intermodal Center -- -- Direct Loan 163.676 -- -- User Charges Term Sheet 4.77% $7.807
SR 125
Toll Road
Hwy/Bridge $642 Direct Loan 140.000 BBB- BB+ User Charges Agreement 7.10% $9.940
Farley Penn Station Passenger Rail $800 Direct Loan 140.000 -- -- Other Term Sheet 12.51% $17.514
Farley Penn Station -- -- Line of Credit 20.000 -- -- Other Term Sheet 11.84% $2.368
Washington Metro CIP Transit $2,324 Guarantee 600.000 A- BBB Other Agreement 1.99% $11.940
Tren Urbano (Puerto Rico) Transit $1,676 Direct Loan 300.000 BBB+ BBB- Tax Revenues Paid in Full 2.59% $7.770
Cooper River Bridge Hwy/Bridge $668 Direct Loan 215.000 BBB- BBB- Other Agreement 2.76% $5.934
Staten Island Ferries Transit $482 Direct Loan 159.068 A+ A+ Other Agreement 0.19% $0.302
Central Texas Turnpike Hwy/Bridge $3,700 Direct Loan 916.760 BBB+ BB User Charges Agreement 11.26% $103.227
Reno Rail Corridor Intermodal $280 Direct Loan 50.500 BBB BB Room and Sales Tax Agreement 7.25% $3.661
Reno Rail Corridor -- -- Direct Loan 5.000 -- -- Lease Income Term Sheet 14.31% $0.716
Reno Rail Corridor -- -- Direct Loan 18.000 -- -- Assessment District Revenues Term Sheet 1.34% $0.241
San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge Hwy/Bridge $3,305 Direct Loan 450.000 -- -- Toll Surcharge Term Sheet 0.29% $1.305
Warwick Train Station Intermodal $216 Direct Loan 58.000 -- -- User Charges Selection 10.26% $5.951
Total Dollars -- $15,442 -- $3,505.080 -- -- -- -- -- 173.775

telephone Contact: Duane Callender, TIFIA JPO, 202/366-9644, duane.callender@fhwa.dot.gov

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

TIFIA Trivia

The U.S. DOT Responds to Your Questions

The "TIFIA Trivia" box provides responses to questions posed by our readers and other observers. We hope you find this "TIFIA Trivia" section useful and that you will submit questions to Mark Sullivan, Chief, TIFIA JPO, 202/366-5785 or Theresa Stoll, TIFIA JPO, 202/366-9649.

Question

Why is TIFIA's annual budget authority of $130 million so much lower than the loan limitation of $2.6 billion? Is the loan limitation or the budget authority the constraint on TIFIA lending? How is the budget authority required for an individual project calculated?

Answer

Under the Credit Reform Act of 1990, the budget cost or "subsidy" associated with a credit instrument is the estimated long-term cost to the government on a net present value basis. Since it is expected that most funds lent under the TIFIA program will be repaid with interest at the government's discount rate or Treasury rate, the cost to the government is much lower than the face value of the loans. The average subsidy rate of agreements to date is about five percent. This provides justification for the budget authority level of $130 million, which is five percent of the $2.6 billion loan limitation.

The annual loan limitation of $2.6 billion limits the face value of TIFIA loans, lines of credit, and guarantees that can be extended. The annual budget authority of $130 million limits the budgetary cost the government may incur for credit instruments extended under TIFIA. Either of these limits may be the binding constraint to the program size in a given year. For example, if the credits that are extended have high-subsidy rates, then the TIFIA program may expend its budget authority before it reaches the loan limitation and cannot enter into new agreements. Likewise, if the subsidy rates are low, the loan limitation may be reached before all budget authority is expended. The remaining budget authority cannot be used for new loans in that year, but can be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

Budget authority or subsidy required for an individual project is calculated by subtracting the net present value of expected repayments from the value of the disbursements. The expected repayments are the scheduled repayments minus expected defaults plus expected recoveries. Defaults are estimated using historic default rates for the risk category of the TIFIA instrument. Recoveries are estimated based on the type of revenue securing the TIFIA instrument.

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

GARVEE Roundup

GARVEEs Reach $3 Billion Level

To help meet growing transportation needs, states are pushing ahead with GARVEE bonds, secured with future Federal aid highway funds under the provisions of Section 122 of Title 23, U.S. Code. This summer, Arizona and Colorado brought two issues to market, totaling $249 million. With these two issues, GARVEE debt issuance nationally through August 2003 has reached the $3 billion level.

The Arizona issue of $149 million was sold by the State Transportation Board in July 2003, a combined new money ($125.2 million) and refunding ($23.8 million) issue. The 2003 issue was the third Grant Anticipation Note (i.e. GARVEE) for Arizona. The proceeds of all three issues have been allocated to funding the accelerated completion plan for the Maricopa Freeway System. The Series 2003 notes have a longer maturity than the prior two issues, extending to 2015, compared to the 2000 and 2001 issues that mature in 2004 and 2008, respectively. With the 2003 issue, taking into account the refunding, the total amount of Arizona GANs is $292 million. Over the next two to three years, Arizona anticipates additional issuance of up to $220 million.

Summary of Colorado and Arizona GARVEE Issues
State Date of Issue Face Amount
Arizona June 2000 $39.4 Million
-- May 2001 $142.9 Million
-- July 2003
($23.8 million refunded
outstanding June 2000 bonds)
$149.0 Million
Colorado
(Colorado DOT issued $400.2 million
in June 2002 to refund prior bonds)
May 2000 $524.4 Million
-- April 2001 $506.4 Million
-- June 2002 $208.3 Million
-- August 2003 $100.0 Million

In August 2003, the Colorado Department of Transportation sold $100 million in transportation revenue anticipation notes or TRANs (its designation for GARVEEs). This was the fourth new money issue for Colorado, bringing its total issuance to date to over $1.3 billion. This total excludes the $400.2 million issue in June 2002 to refund prior bonds. The 2003 TRANS are structured as term bonds, maturing in 2016 and 2017. The TRANs proceeds are funding 28 strategic corridor projects that are part of the Strategic Transportation Investment Program adopted by the Transportation Commission in 1996 to accelerate construction. The strategic corridor projects, which total $8.9 billion, include the multimodal Southeast Corridor project, now known as the Transportation Expansion Project or T-REX. Colorado's next issue in the amount of $125 million is planned for 2004 which would raise the total debt service for TRANs to $2.3 billion, the voter-authorized limit.

telephone Contact: Jennifer Mayer, FHWA National Resource Center, 415/744-2634, jennifer.mayer@fhwa.dot.gov

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

GARVEE "Questions of the Quarter"

Each issue of IFQ features questions and answers on the GARVEE program. This issue addresses the treatment of GARVEE debt service in state plans. Note that answers to these questions are not regulatory or legislative, but represent Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) current administrative interpretations. If you have questions or want to confirm any of this information, please contact your local FHWA Division office. GARVEE guidance is also available at:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/finance/resources/federal_debt/garvee_bond_guidance.aspx.

What is the Difference Between a GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) and an RVee (Reimbursement Vehicle)?

A GARVEE is any bond, debt, note, or other instrument for which a state claims reimbursement for debt service under Section 122 of Title 23. The proceeds of GARVEE bonds must be used for projects that are eligible for Federal aid and that follow Federal requirements. As debt service becomes due, states bill the Federal government for the applicable Federal share of debt service (typically 80 percent) and receive reimbursement. For example, if a state issued a $100 million bond whose debt service was $12 million annually for 10 years, the state would claim reimbursement for 80 percent of $12 million, or $9.6 million, until the debt is retired. The reimbursement includes any interest and issuance costs associated with the bond.

An RVee (reimbursement vehicle - formerly known as an "indirect" GARVEE) is a bond whose debt service is paid from construction reimbursements from eligible Federal-aid projects, as well as other sources. While the state may pledge its Federal construction reimbursements for debt service, the reimbursements it receives are not linked in any way to the RVee; instead, they are made based on eligible construction expenditures on any Federally eligible projects.

The construction reimbursements that a state uses to pay RVee debt service may be from projects that the bond proceeds paid for or from entirely separate projects. Because the construction reimbursements are not associated with a debt issuance, the state is not eligible to claim reimbursement for interest and issuance costs on RVees. RVees are issued under state laws and requirements, and proceeds from RVees do not necessarily have to be used on Federal-aid projects. However, any project that ultimately receives Federal-aid construction reimbursement must follow all Federal-aid requirements.

Why Would a State Issue a GARVEE Rather Than an RVee, and Vice Versa?

Depending on state laws, a state might be able to issue either type of vehicle. Some states might prefer to issue a GARVEE in order to claim interest and issuance costs and in order to preserve a direct link between the project and the funds used to repay its debt service. Other states may forgo the additional eligibility for interest and issuance, and issue an RVee because it might allow them to use construction reimbursements from a variety of projects for debt service. Some states may find it difficult to issue RVees because construction reimbursements become subject to appropriation by the state legislature when received, or are otherwise restricted by state law.

In either case, a state does not receive any additional Federal-aid through using either vehicle; it simply elects to use its Federal aid funds in different but equally legitimate ways.

For more information about GARVEEs and RVees, contact Jennifer Mayer, Innovative Finance Specialist, FHWA National Resource Center, jennifer.mayer@fhwa.dot.gov, 415/744-2634.

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

Technical Corner

Alternative Financing: The European Experience

Many transportation agencies today are finding that conventional highway contracting and financing methods are insufficient to meet citizens' demands for new and improved infrastructure. The growing gap between transportation needs and available funds is not unique to the United States. However, as a team of transportation experts learned, European highway agencies over the last several decades have been effectively implementing a variety of innovative techniques to accelerate the delivery of critically needed projects.

A delegation of Federal, state, contracting, legal, and academic representatives traveled to Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and England in June 2001 to investigate how such efficiencies and resources might be implemented in the United States. Through this visit, the delegation concluded that many of the alternative contract and financing techniques in use in Europe have potential for application by U.S. transportation agencies.

European versus U.S. Financing: Differences and Similarities

Alternative funding sources in Europe include a combination of bond and bank financing, with private financing much more common than in the United States. In some cases, European governments need to use alternative financing because public debt ceilings have already been reached. In other cases, private financing is the best solution for implementing the project.

In determining how European experience could be applied in the United States to advance needed transportation investment, the delegation identified two primary differences in how European transportation projects are funded. First, European countries have a very limited amount of taxes dedicated specifically for transportation needs. Unlike in the United States, gasoline taxes and other transportation-generated revenues are not separated for transportation purposes, but are deposited into a general fund along with other taxes. These general funds then provide money for a variety of needs, including transportation projects, based primarily on political priorities as opposed to the source of the revenues.

Second, European governments do not have the ability to use tax-exempt financing for public transportation projects, as is the case in the United States. While this means that interest rates are higher for European projects, it also means that projects are not subject to the contracting rules applied to U.S. tax-exempt financed projects. For this reason, private financing is much more competitive with public financing for European transportation projects. For example, in the U.K., the interest savings realized when using publicly guaranteed funds as compared to private funds is sometimes less than one percent.

While the primary funding mechanism in Europe is similar to the traditional pay-as-you-go system in the United States, with most of the national investment in transportation projects funded through the annual budget allocation process, the scan revealed several alternative approaches that offer potential for use in the United States. One of these techniques is the use of concessions which have seen limited application in this country.

Concession Arrangements: Extending the Reach of the Public Sector

Concessions extend public agencies' reach by transferring responsibility for a given project, along with related construction and financing risk, to the private sector. By leveraging the culture of innovation and cost control inherent in private sector firms, the public agencies can both accelerate project delivery and reduce costs. At the same time, appropriate contract provisions can be included to ensure that construction quality, facility operations and maintenance, and traffic flow meet specific performance goals over the life of the concession.

Concessions, widely used in Europe over the last 30 years, are an innovative approach to U.S. project delivery and financing. Through concessions, public agencies negotiate long-term contracts with a private sector firm or consortium (referred to as the concessionaire) for the construction and operation of a given transportation project or a network of projects. Payments to the concessionaire are generally based on a measure of facility usage, but also can be based on a schedule of periodic payments from one or more government entities. In some cases, concessionaires receive incentives to promote facility usage in a win-win scenario that increases citizens' mobility options and reduces wear and tear on other government-owned facilities, while at the same time resulting in higher compensation for the concessionaire.

Concession contracts are typically negotiated between a public entity and a private or quasi-private company for a term of 30 years, although in some cases this term can extend substantially beyond 30 years. Companies receiving these contracts agree to design, build, finance, operate and/or maintain a given project over the life of the concession. At the end of this concession period, the original concession is either renegotiated or the facility turned over to an appropriate public entity.

By using concessions, the public sector can 1) leverage its ability to build and finance transportation infrastructure since concessionaires function essentially as extensions of the state and 2) apply the innovation, expertise, and efficiency of the private sector to transportation projects. Moreover, private sector financing is developed as an additional source of capital for transportation infrastructure, albeit at a somewhat higher cost than that of government borrowing. Finally, project completion and delivery are accelerated by up to eight years and project costs are reduced by up to 25 percent.

The delegation developed several case studies demonstrating the benefits of concessions in Europe:

  • Private Capital Accelerates Projects in Portugal. In 1998 and 1999, the Portuguese Government developed the Portuguese Highway Concession Program (PHCP) to accelerate completion of its national expressway network. As part of this program, the Government requested proposals for 30-year concessions on 16 separate "motor-way," or expressway, segments. As a result of this process, approximately five billion Euros in non-government investment capital was raised: 4.25 billion Euros from banks and other equity investors, and the balance in risk capital from the bidding concessionaires. Under this program, winning concessionaires were compensated through both shadow tolling and negotiated schedules of periodic, generally annual, payments from the central government. Shadow tolls arrangements - where payments are based on a measure of facility usage - were the stipulated payment method in seven of 16 contracts. As a result of the PHCP, the Portuguese Government estimates that completion of its national expressway network has been accelerated by eight years, from 2014 to 2006.
  • Government Augments Private Sector Financial Support to Advance Concessions in France. Two-thirds of France's 10,800 kilometer national "autoroute" system of expressways has been built and/or is operated under concession arrangements. In support of the concession concept, the French national government has provided concessionaires with interest-free loans for up to 30 percent of project costs, loan guarantees, and seed capital for private sector start-ups. The interest-free loans, also known as advances of anticipated project construction costs, generally extend from 10 to 20 years. In addition, private sector concessionaires have obtained loans and other credit assistance, including equity investment, from commercial banks. Concessionaires are compensated in accordance with their agreement with the government, with toll revenue serving as the principal source of compensation.
  • As one example of a successful French concession arrangement, the Cofiroute concession was originally granted from 1970 through 2005, but recently extended to 2015 through 2030 (depending on the specific route). Initial French government financial assistance included interest-free loans and loan guarantees, while Cofiroute also was required to provide significant equity capital. In order to ensure acceptable quality, maintain an effective relationship with the state, and promote shareholder value, Cofiroute establishes internal performance goals related to safety, traffic flow, and comfort.
  • Private Sector Financing Leads to Cost Savings in the United Kingdom. By following the concession approach to building and financing new transportation projects, the British National Audit Office has concluded that project costs have been reduced by 15 to 25 percent. In the 1990s, the British Highways Agency introduced the Private Financing Initiative (PFI) as a way to extend its capabilities while tapping into a new source of funding. As implied by the name, the PFI requires private sector concessionaires to provide funds through equity capital, bank borrowing, or bonding. In fact, three of nine PFI contracts were financed primarily through the issuance of bonds.
  • The British Highway Agency believes that the benefits of PFI include earlier delivery of transportation investment as well as a transfer of risk from the public to the private sectors. In addition, there is greater private sector involvement, creativity, and discipline, as well as the possibility of additional private sector funding. Under PFI, compensation to concessionaires has been based on three discrete performance measures. From 1994 to 1997, compensation was based on shadow tolling (a measure of facility usage), while from 1997 to 2001 payments were based on system availability. Starting in 2001, the concessionaire compensation approach has focused on facility congestion as measured by average speed.
Conclusion

Innovative contracting and financing techniques have been used in Europe over the last several decades. Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom have found that these arrangements have extended the reach of their transportation agencies, identified new sources of project financing, accelerated project delivery, and reduced project costs.

The table below highlights the potential advantages of using concessions.

Financial Advantages Economic and Social Advantages Political Advantages
Easing of budgetary constraints Streamlined construction schedule and reliable project A new role for the public authority
Optimal allocation and transfer
of risk to the private sector
Modernization of the economy and improvement of services Allocation and not "abdication"
Realistic evaluation and control
of costs implementation
Access to financial markets, combined with the development of local financial markets Project stability

Source: FHWA, Contract Administration: Technology and Practice in Europe, Report No. FHWA-PL-02-016, October 2002, page 71.

The European experience with innovative financing as well as innovative project delivery mechanisms is documented in more detail in a report available at FHWA's International Program website: http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/contractadmin/contractadmin.pdf

telephone Contact: Frederick Werner, FHWA National Resource Center, 415/744-2634, frederick.werner@fhwa.dot.gov

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

Events

FHWA Workshops

An FHWA workshop on project finance will be held in conjunction with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association's (ARTBA) 15th Annual Conference on Public-Private Ventures in Transportation. The workshop and conference will be held at the Renaissance Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C., October 22-23, 2003 and will include sessions on how TEA-21 reauthorization and regulatory changes are impacting the prospects for innovative finance and public-private partnerships in transportation. The FHWA workshop sessions, focusing on SAFETEA and innovative finance trends, will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 1:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

More information is available on the 2003 Public-Private Ventures Conference web site at: http://www.artba.org/meetings_events/2003/ppv/2003_public_private_ventures.htm/

As part of the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) 83rd Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. from January 11-15, 2004, the TRB Committee on Taxation and Finance and FHWA will cosponsor a comprehensive workshop that will focus on innovative finance trends and opportunities for the future. The emphasis of the workshop will be on options to enhance and expand the "tool box" of project financing approaches to help meet the nation's transportation investment needs. U.S. DOT finance experts will address the innovative finance provisions of SAFETEA and provide a progress report on how new financing approaches are changing the transportation finance landscape. In addition, project sponsors and capital market representatives will share their insights on successful strategies that could serve as a road map for further advancements in project delivery mechanisms. The workshop, intended to build a better understanding of non-traditional financing methods, will be structured in an interactive format with time set aside for questions and answers and dialogue with transportation finance experts. The workshop will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Washington Hilton Hotel and Towers, Jefferson East Room.

More information will be posted at the TRB 83rd Annual Meeting website at: http://www4.nationalacademies.org/trb/annual.nsf

telephone Contact: Suzanne Sale, TIFIA JPO, 602/379-4014, Suzanne.Sale@fhwa.dot.gov

[Top of Article, In This Issue...]

Contributors to Volume 9, No. 3 of IFQ include:

Roger Berg, Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

Gene Branigan, Florida Department of Transportation

Duane Callender, TIFIA JPO

Phyllis Jones, FHWA

Jennifer Mayer, FHWA National Resource Center

Suzanne H. Sale, TIFIA JPO

Theresa Stoll, TIFIA JPO

Mark Sullivan, TIFIA JPO

Frederick Werner, FHWA National Resource Center

INNOVATIVE FINANCE QUARTERLY

Suzanne H. Sale, FHWA
Co-Managing, Editor
602/379-4014
FAX: 602/379-3608
Suzanne.Sale@fhwa.dot.gov

Max Inman, FHWA
Co-Managing Editor
202/366-2853
FAX: 202/366-7493

Laurie L. Hussey, CS Managing Editor
Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
617/354-0167
FAX: 617/354-1542
lhussey@camsys.com

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