HARRISBURG, PA — In case you missed it, private companies have until April 30 to submit proposals for transportation projects in Pennsylvania, offering potential new approaches to building and managing roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
What This Means for You
- Private companies can propose transportation projects or improvements
- Projects may affect roads, bridges, transit, and other infrastructure
- Deadline to submit proposals is April 30
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is accepting unsolicited proposals through its Public-Private Partnerships program, which allows private-sector ideas to be considered for public infrastructure projects.
A public-private partnership is a model where government agencies work with private companies to design, finance, build, or operate public infrastructure, often with the goal of improving efficiency or reducing costs.
How the Proposal Process Works
The submission window runs through 11:59 PM on April 30 and applies to PennDOT-owned infrastructure, services, and projects.
During this period, private companies can submit proposals across multiple transportation sectors, including:
- Roads and bridges
- Rail systems
- Aviation infrastructure
- Ports and freight facilities
Proposals may also include plans to improve how existing transportation services are managed or delivered.
PennDOT holds these submission periods twice a year, in April and October.
Role of the P3 Board
Submitted proposals are reviewed under the state’s Public-Private Partnership law by a seven-member board responsible for evaluating projects.
If the board determines a proposal could deliver services more efficiently through private-sector involvement, PennDOT may move forward by issuing a formal Request for Proposals and opening a competitive bidding process.
Scope Beyond PennDOT Projects
Private entities can also submit proposals involving transportation assets not directly controlled by PennDOT.
Agencies outside the governor’s jurisdiction, such as transit authorities and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, may review proposals on their own timelines or accept submissions year-round.
Where to Learn More
Details on submission requirements and the review process are available on PennDOT’s Public-Private Partnerships website:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/programs-and-doing-business/public-private-partnerships
The next proposal window is scheduled for October.
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