Privatization of toll roads is emerging as a trend, with Indiana the most recent in a string of state, county and local governments to contemplate selling or leasing public highways. The Indiana State Legislature is in the final stages of considering a 75-year lease of the Indiana Toll Road to a private consortium for $3.9 billion.
Following on the heels of the long-term lease of the Chicago Skyway, completed last year – which brought a windfall to the City of Chicago – Indiana is weighing the benefits of cashing in one of the state’s biggest enterprise assets.
In other areas of the country, officials are considering similar deals for the Harris County Toll Road, the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia, and portions of the New Jersey Turnpike.
Macquarie Infrastructure Group is the Australian-based firm that specializes in the private development of public toll roads, and is a major player in the Chicago Skyway and the Indiana Toll Road deals.