Colorado scraps C-470 P3 plans

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has opted not to use a P3 model to develop its C-470 highway project.

CDOT told P3 Bulletin that the project will now proceed under a design-build framework despite suggestions that the deal could have been tendered as a P3 as early as next year.

"Over the last year, the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) completed a traffic and revenue and then value for money report on the C470 project," a CDOT spokesperson said.

"Through that analysis it was determined that a P3 was not the solution that would provide the best value to the taxpayer. Instead we are moving forward with design-build."

Rumours within the market had suggested that a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a P3 deal could be released in the first quarter of next year.

CDOT held an industry day at the end of October, which highlighted the state's plans for the I-70 highway P3, which is due to hit the market before the end of the year. The success of this project was thought to be linked to the C-470 decisions going forward.

The HPTE will now continue to be involved in the C-470 deal as it will be working to make up the current gap that would be supported by the future toll revenue.