Public-private partnerships in infrastructure

America's aging infrastructure is in dire need of upgrading, and with federal and state funding stretched to the breaking point, the private sector has stepped into the breach. Public-private partnerships are creating new infrastructure projects to move traffic more efficiently and help relieve the traffic congestion that is choking many of our major metropolitan areas. The trucking industry and railroad associations are sponsoring innovative initiatives to increase the flow of commercial traffic and become more energy efficient in the process. These public-private partnerships allow dedicated public officials to tap the innovations and capital sources for which the private sector is famous. Coupled with the growing concern over global warming and America's expanding carbon footprint, refocusing on alternative people-moving options and more energy efficient freight operations, local, state, and the federal governments have a new impetus to embrace public-private partnerships. © 2008 ASCE.