Infra Insight Blog

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in cooperation with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, reached financial close on the Presidio Parkway Project public-private partnership (P3).  The $1.1 billion deal is the first transportation P3 in California under the recently enacted P3 statute, Streets and Highways Code section 143, and only the third highway project developed through an availability payment structure. 

Caltrans entered into an agreement with Golden Link Concessionaire, LLC, a consortium led by Hochtief PPP Solutions North America and Meridiam Infrastructure North America, to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Presidio Parkway for 30 years. The P3 delivery method allows the project to proceed when limited state money is available through conventional means. The P3 will reduce construction costs, transfer financial risks to Golden Link, free up state funding for other uses, and ensure a high-level of maintenance during the 30-year contract.  Funding for the project includes a combination of equity, bank debt and TIFIA loans.   

The Presidio Parkway Project will replace iconic Doyle Drive, which is the southern access point to the Golden Gate Bridge and travels through the Presidio of San Francisco and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The improvements include seismic upgrades, two sets of short tunnels, a wide landscaped median, enhanced pedestrian accommodations and improved traffic transitions into city streets.

The project successfully overcame litigation challenges at the Alameda County Superior Court, 1st District Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court where opponents tried to stop the project as a P3. The litigation ended on Nov. 16, 2011 after almost a year and enabled the P3 to reach financial close.

Nossaman advised Caltrans on the procurement, financing and contracts for the project and represented the San Francisco County Transportation Authority on the litigation matters.