Author: Caroline Gao

Center Director, Dr. Janothan Gifford was quoted in The Washington Post article titled,“ Maryland could face millions in cost risks if toll lane plan for Beltway, I-270 stalls”.

Jonathan Gifford, a professor at George Mason University and director of the Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy, said early collaboration can help governments advance projects more quickly and efficiently, while also improving the design.

“The earlier you get the contractor involved,” Gifford said, “the more options for innovation you have.”

See the full article here.

Center Director Dr. Janothan Gifford was quoted in The Washington Post article titled, “Possible legal challenges pose cost risks for Maryland toll lanes proposal”.   

Jonathan Gifford, a professor and expert in public-private partnerships at George Mason University, said state transportation officials might proceed with a controversial project if their lawyers conclude that any lawsuits are unlikely to succeed or cause significant delays.

The companies — and, more importantly, their investors — will protect themselves from a legally vulnerable environmental analysis, he said. That’s because private financing relies on collecting toll revenue to pay back bondholders and other investors on a certain schedule.

“I’d be astonished if the state or any developer would enter into an agreement without having very explicit discussions and agreeing on how they’d cover such an eventuality,” Gifford said. 

See the full article here.