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Money: Partnershipsare the answer to HSR

and operate the asset with maximumcare to make the partnership withgovernment work and keep thepublic happy.

Another misperception is that P3scost union jobs. Yet without privatefinancing, many public projects and

the jobs they create would not evenexist, and among the largest inves-tors in P3s are union pension funds.

Increasingly, municipalities under-stand the value and promise of P3s.

About half of all U.S. states, includ-ing California, have enacted legisla-tion that permits public-privateinitiatives on state projects. But theprivate sector must also come to thetable with the leadership and exper-tise necessary to complete one ofthese projects along with a solidbusiness case based on value formoney. There must be transparencyon both sides along with a genuinepartnership between the government

and the private entities.As more and more municipalities

face these tough decisions, we urgethem to consider a public, privatepartnership for the sake of theeconomy, the environment, and apublic benefit to commuters whonow bear horrible congestion thatimpedes business growth anddiminished quality of life.

We all understand the reality that

government simply cannot afford tofully pay for our growing infrastruc-ture needs. In California, its clearour significant transportation needscannot be met entirely through statefunding. The good news is that thereare billions of dollars in privatecapital available and ready to invest.

P3s offer potential to stretchgovernment dollars with privatecapital as a way around lack offunding for these large scale publicprojects. They are the right option

for the state, at the right time,beginning with the California high-speed rail project. Michael Cobelli is the chief

operating officer of Skanska USAsCivil business unit. Globally, Skanskahas delivered 19 public-privatepartnership projects including tollroads, hospitals, schools, watertreatment plants, hydro-power andprisons.

FROM PAGE 11

ITS ONE OF THE MANY WAYS FRESNO STATE IS

POWERING THE NEW CALIFORNIA.

www.csufresno.edu

Fresno State is ready to useits faculty expertise in educatingand training students to becometomorrows leaders, and contributeto the efforts to see high-speed railin the Valley become a reality.

Illust

ration

courtesyofNC3D

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO

FOOTPRINT

COST

GASOLINE

Day-of: $235 (single rider); $940 (family of four)

Next day: $209 (single rider); $836 (family of four)

Two-day notice: $183 (single rider); $732 (family of four)

Two-week notice: $157 (single rider); $628 (family of four)

Two-month notice: $157 (single rider); $628 (family of four)

Six-month notice: $157 (single rider); $628 (family of four)

Round tripfrom Bostonto New York

(equivalent to Fresnoto Los Angeles or

San Francisco)

Day of: $115 (single rider); $460 (family of four)

Next-day: $99 (single rider); $272 (family of four)

Two-day notice: $99 (single rider); $396 (family of four)

Two-week notice: $99 (single rider); $396 (family of four)

Two-month notice: $99 (single rider); $396 (family of four)

Six-month notice: $99 (single rider); $396 (family of four)

394 miles

193 miles

Source:tickets.a

mtrak.c

om.

Cheapestticketpricelisted.

Pricesasof6/7/2011.

Monthly unlimited pass: $1,710 10-ride pass for 45-day time period: $76

Acela operates the United States only high speedrail line, which connects Boston, Washington, D.C.,

and New York. Looking at typical rates for theselines, we can get a sample of what it may cost to

travel Californias high speed rail.

To match that capacityHighway 99 would needfour more lanes at 132feet wide.

Highway: $166 million per mile

HSR: 150 to 300 miles onthe energy equivalent of agallon of gas

1 two-rail HSR rail cancarry 10,000 passengersper hour, in either direction:50 feet wide.

HSR: $60 million per mile

Prius: 40 to 100 mpg

Airbus: 49 to 100 mpg

Round tripfrom Boston to

Washington, D.C.(equivalent to

San Franciscoto Los Angeles)

In California, its clear our

significant transportation

needs cannot be met

entirely through state

funding. Michael Colbelli

12 SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011 A CUSTOM PUBLICATION OF THE FRESNO BEE