Infrastructure Partner Barney Allison Quoted In P3 Bulletin

Infrastructure Practice Group Partner Barney Allison was featured in the P3 Bulletin story, Close Inspection.  The story looks at both the importance of and challenges associated with maintaining transportation infrastructure and examines financial models for doing so.  Mr. Allison offered commentary regarding how a P3 model can help US-based departments of transportation upgrade and maintain infrastructure.

The P3 approach of combining design and build with operations and maintenance provides a valuable check and balance.  We see a lot of advantage in the P3 context to combining the two, said Mr. Allison. 

Maintenance challenges involve coming up with a standardized approach with clear performance measures and monitoring compliance.  The other issue is anticipating what those costs are going to be.  There are a number of variables in predicting what the useful life of an asset is going to be.

Mr. Allison added that policy challenges include getting the attention of policymakers regarding the importance of quality maintenance of government assets.  Trying to predict what the useful life will be and what maintenance costs will be and setting aside funds to pay those costs. There needs to be a standardized approach by state and local governments to report on asset condition and the plan to repair or replace those assets.

To read the full article in P3 Bulletin, click here (subscription required).