Highway PPP begins operations

On Thursday, September 22, 2011, Sin Comillas reported that the transition process was starting between the Highways Authority and Autopistas Metropolitanas de Puerto Rico (Metropistas), the consortium of the first highway public-private partnership. That same day the financial closing closed in New York under which the Government would receive $1,100 million.

The transition would last six months, with emphasis on safety and a 24-hour patrol service. Metropistas planned to invest $50 million a year and a total of $600 million over the 40-year concession, plus pay $450,000 annually to the Police for patrol equipment on the two highways.

Luis Palazzi, Metropistas chief operating officer, said they wanted to be a “reference” for well-managed infrastructure and that the immediate focus was an efficient transition for users. The company already employed 40 people (target near 60) and had hired 12 of about 150 who worked for the Highways Authority on those roads. In the first year they planned targeted works (drains, drainage, signage, tolls, barriers, lighting, landscaping); in the next two, road surface, delineation and rehabilitation of main bridges and overpasses.

On June 20 the Government had announced Metropistas’ selection to operate PR-5 and PR-22. The consortium is Abertis Infraestructuras (Barcelona) and Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners. Abertis ranks among the world’s leading transport infrastructure operators, present in 15 countries with more than 2,300 miles of highways. Announced close and payment ≠ settling all Highways Authority debt nor a judgment on the PPP’s future performance.

Source: Sin Comillas. https://sincomillas.com/comienza-operaciones-la-app-de-carreteras/