NASHTU Notes Archives

Another Day, Another P3 Failure

The Purple Line, a 16-mile light rail project in southern Maryland just outside of Washington D.C., is the latest public-private partnership (P3) “success” story gone awry, according to the public advocacy group, In the Public Interest. 

In an article written by the group’s Executive Director, Donald Cohen, the Purple Line P3 is described as a “cautionary tale, with epic delays and out-of-control cost overruns.”

The Purple Line began as a five-year, nearly $2 billion construction project.  Costs have now ballooned to $3.4 billion and the project will take more than 10 years to complete.  In fact, according to the article, the original completion date was March 2023 – next month.  Now, sadly, Maryland light rail users will be waiting until at least mid-2027 to use the Purple Line.

Cohen also discusses the inherent problems with P3s and using private capital to solve infrastructure funding problems.  Private interests that fund P3s are only going to put their money where a big profit is guaranteed.  This can run afoul of public policy and public interest goals. 

P3s can also add unnecessary costs to a project.  In addition to the higher borrowing costs for private capital, Cohen reminds readers to think of the billable legal hours all along the way for each of the private parties involved in a project with an 876-page original contract – which has since been amended – that governs the Purple Line P3. 

Cohen furthers explains that when an infrastructure project is privatized, the public “loses control over an essential public good, for decades.”  That control is handed over to a private company that gets the power and authority over that project, often with no accountability to the public.  

NASHTU has partnered with In the Public Interest over the past several years, working in tandem to oppose P3s in state and federal legislation.  ITPI and their staff have also been featured at several NASHTU Annual conferences, including the most recent NASHTU Conference last May.   

Read the full article at In the Public Interest.

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2023 NASHTU Conference Registration Now Open! Register Today

In Case You Missed It: Registration for the 23rd Annual NASHTU Conference is now open!  The conference is set for June 5 through 7, 2023 at the Hilton Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington D.C. 

The conference will feature some of the preeminent transportation leaders in Washington.  Past conferences included the congressional leaders of both Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over transportation and infrastructure and key transportation and labor officials from AASHTO, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, FHWA, Center for American Progress, American Highway Users Alliance, Economic Policy Institute, and many other transportation stakeholder organizations.

To register for the conference, please visit our conference webpage.

23rd Annual NASHTU Conference – Register Today!

The 23rd Annual NASHTU Conference will be held June 5 through 7, 2023 at the Hilton Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington D.C.  To register for the 2023 NASHTU Conference, click here.

The NASHTU Conference provides an important opportunity for transportation unions to come together and strategize about how best to serve our members and deliver safe, cost-effective transportation projects for taxpayers. 

The conference is also a chance to hear from some of the preeminent transportation leaders in Washington.  Past conferences included the congressional leaders of both Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over transportation and infrastructure and key transportation and labor officials from AASHTO, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, FHWA, Center for American Progress, American Highway Users Alliance, Economic Policy Institute, and many other transportation stakeholder organizations.

NASHTU conference attendees will be able to meet face-to-face with their state’s Congressional Representatives and Senators during the lobbying portion of the conference, reserved for the afternoon of Tuesday, June 6.  The NASHTU Conference will also feature networking opportunities, including a Group Dinner where conference attendees can get to know union representatives from other states, and a Congressional Reception where they can mingle with Members of Congress and Congressional staff.

Again to register for the conference, please visit our conference webpage.

NASHTU Conference Set for 2023 – Save the Date

The 2023 NASHTU Conference will be held June 5 through 7, 2023 at the Hilton Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington D.C.  Please save the dates!

The NASHTU Conference is an excellent opportunity for transportation unions to come together and strategize about how best to serve our members and deliver safe, cost-effective transportation projects for taxpayers.  It also provides important access to transportation leaders and key Members of Congress.  Past conferences included the congressional leaders of both Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over transportation and infrastructure and key transportation and labor officials from AASHTO, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, FHWA, Center for American Progress, and many other transportation stakeholder organizations. 

NASHTU has secured a special room rate at the Hilton Capitol Hill Hotel (525 New Jersey Avenue, NW) of $299 per night (single/double occupancy).  The hotel will also honor the special room rate for up to two days prior to and after the conference, subject to hotel availability.  Advance reservations can be made by calling the hotel at 202/628-2100.  Please be sure to mention the NASHTU Conference when booking your accommodations.

As always, if you have suggestions for speakers, panels, or interesting subjects for the conference, please let us know.  We look forward to seeing you next June at the 2023 NASHTU Conference!