In the U.S., aging infrastructure is struggling to keep up with demand. From highways and airports to energy and water, the infrastructure challenge in the U.S. requires solutions for both funding and delivery. Public-private partnerships (P3s) offer a proven model for delivering essential infrastructure.
The most successful partnerships match public priorities with private-sector strengths to forge long-term commitments that benefit communities. P3s create a more efficient and scalable way to design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) infrastructure by pairing private investment with public oversight. P3s bring deep expertise to the table, raising the bar for safety, innovation, and quality.
Different from legacy funding and delivery models, where different parties may handle different phases, the P3 approach enables integrated collaboration across the full lifecycle of an asset—from concept and construction to long-term maintenance and operation. That means highways, airports, water and energy projects are designed to serve their communities for decades to come.
Case Study: Transform 66 – A P3 That Delivers
The I-66 Outside the Beltway project in Virginia is an example of a strong partnership between the public and private sectors:
- 22.5 miles of multimodal corridor
- $3.7 billion capital investment
- $579M in upfront concession fees used to fund 16 additional local projects at no taxpayer cost
- 18+ miles of shared-use trails
- $340M in ongoing funding for regional transit + community investments
Watch the video recap →
More on the 66 Parallel Trail →
I-66 Express Project Overview →
I-66 Outside the Beltway project offers expanded transit service, park-and-ride lots, interchange enhancements and 11 miles of shared use path connecting existing and planned trails to further improve travel along I-66 while creating more multi-modal travel options.
Additional benefits include:
–20% increase in corridor throughput
–30% reduction in travel times
–84% customer satisfaction in year one
Why It Worked
- Flexible design that added access ramps and increased usage by 26%
- Transparent governance with VDOT
- Ongoing coordination with local transit agencies
- Concessionaire-funded police patrols and safety initiatives
- More than $600K donated to community nonprofits and school foundations
This was a regional investment strategy with long-term stewardship baked in.
P3s for What’s Next
At Ferrovial, we believe three factors are essential for a great P3:
- Outcome Alignment: What does success look like for the public—and how do we deliver it?
- Operational Commitment: A P3 is a 30–50-year relationship. You need a partner and operator with the expertise and flexibility to evolve over time.
- Community Value: Infrastructure should make people’s lives better. The best P3s improve mobility, create economic opportunity, and make communities stronger.
With federal funding constrained and transportation needs growing, states and municipalities need new tools to deliver essential infrastructure. P3s—when done right—can offer speed, scale, and resilience. At Ferrovial, we are committed to deep partnerships, collaboration, innovation, and lasting value to deliver essential infrastructure to communities.
