I-66 Project Wins 2023 P3 Award
As the 66 Express Outside the Beltway approaches its one-year anniversary Nov. 22, there’s another reason to celebrate: On Oct. 26, the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project was selected for the 2023 P3 Award as the year’s Best Road, Bridge, or Tunnel Project.
Considered the most prestigious award in the public/private infrastructure industry, the P3 Award recognizes the productive partnership among the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP), the developer and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway facility, and design/build contractor FAM Construction.
With I-66 EMP’s total private investment of $3.7 billion, the multi-modal Transform 66 mega-project is among the largest public/private partnership (P3) infrastructure projects constructed in the United States since the start of the 21st century. That private investment by I-66 EMP entails:
- Approximately $2.3 billion in design/build costs;
- $350 million for future improvements to the I-66 corridor;
- An up-front $579 million concession-fee payment to the Commonwealth of Virginia for additional transportation improvements;
- Transit subsidy of $800 million over the 50-year term of I-66 EMP’s public/private partnership contract with VDOT.
Bruce & Merrilees performed all highway electrical work on the dynamically tolled roadway, which includes two new express lanes and three reconstructed general-purpose lanes spanning 22.5 miles each direction between the I-495 Capital Beltway and Gainesville, VA, in western Prince William County. The express lanes feature dedicated entrance and exit ramps and 27 electronic toll gantries for automated cashless payments.
