The state's Board of Public Works was due to make a decision on whether the project would be procured under a P3 framework today, however a spokesperson for the department said the solicitation process was taking longer than expected and the plans will now go before the board on 6 November.
As part of the proposals, a private firm will oversee the design, construction, operation and partial finance of the deal, which will run from Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County.
The deal is eagerly awaited by the market after 21 firms expressed an interest in the project in May. Should a P3 deal go ahead, the winning team will contribute $500 million to $900 million towards the Purple Line’s costs. The state would reimburse the private team for construction costs over five years and then pay the company to operate and maintain the line for 30 years.
A request for qualifications had been earmarked before the end of the year.