California is exploring partnerships between the government and private industry as a way to meet its staggering need for roads, railways and other infrastructure. Why can't parts of Cascadia aspire to the same thing? The new Narrows bridge in Tacoma will be the first highway in the Puget Sound area with tolls. Why not explore deeper use of the market to solve some of the transportation problems?
The Seattle Times printed yesterday's Neal Peirce column on the issue here. He concludes that public-private partnerships are the way to go. But here's a final takeaway point:
It sounds like a good deal, as long as the new partnerships with business are negotiated professionally, with an eye to long-term sustainability — a reminder that we do need quality people in government! Add in transparent terms, clear performance standards and protection of the public against unfair charges, and the tapping of pools of private investment capital could prove one of the best deals of the century.