RICHMOND, VA. — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) entered into a comprehensive agreement with Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) to build a new Midtown Tunnel, rehabilitate the existing Midtown Tunnel as well as the Downtown Tunnels, and extend the Martin Luther King Freeway. The comprehensive agreement has been under negotiation for almost five months between VDOT, ERC and the new Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships (OTP3).

"Virginia is recognized as a national leader in leveraging limited public dollars to attract significant private-sector investment and innovation, making complex transportation projects possible," said Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. "By partnering with the private sector, Virginia can advance construction of a second Midtown Tunnel and make other improvements that are critical to the mobility, safety and the economy of the Hampton Roads region."

ERC is a joint venture between Skanska Infrastructure Development and Macquarie Group. The agreement was signed by VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley under Virginia's Public-Private Transportation Act. It authorizes construction to begin in 2012, pending financial close early next year.

"The Midtown Tunnel project has been at the top of the region's priorities for many years," said Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton. "The state's use of a public-private partnership structure will enable VDOT to attract approximately $1.7 billion in private investment to a project that yields tangible long-term benefits to the region and the state."

Under the comprehensive agreement VDOT will maintain ownership of the infrastructure and will oversee ERC's activities. ERC will finance, build, operate and maintain the facilities for a 58-year concession period. ERC will also assume risk of delivering the project on a performance-based, fixed-price, fixed-date contract, protecting users and taxpayers from cost overruns and delays.

"Building a new Midtown Tunnel and the MLK Extension will increase capacity and provide for a more systematic flow of traffic, saving the average roundtrip user about 30 minutes a day once the project is completed," said Whirley. "Other benefits include additional evacuation capacity as well as the creation of hundreds of jobs in Hampton Roads."

The key components of the project include:
• Doubling the capacity of the Midtown Tunnel by building an additional two-lane tunnel near the existing one under the Elizabeth River
• Increasing transit service between Portsmouth and Norfolk
• Rehabilitating the existing Midtown Tunnel and both of the Downtown Tunnels
• Extending the Martin Luther King Freeway from London Boulevard to I-264, with an interchange at High Street
• Modifying the interchange at Brambleton Avenue/Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk

The comprehensive agreement was signed for a value of $2.1 billion. This includes total project costs such as financing, designing, building, maintaining and operating the tunnels and the MLK extension. VDOT's contribution is $362 million specifically designated to lower the tolls. VDOT's contribution is reduced due to lower interest rates. ERC will provide financing through a $422 million TIFIA loan, and approximately $1.3 billion through equity, debt and revenue from operations.

The project will be financed through tolls, initially ranging from $1.59 to $1.84 per car for the tunnels and $.50 for the Martin Luther King Freeway extension for tunnel users and $1 for non-tunnel users. Tolls will be collected electronically using E-ZPass, eliminating the need for toll booths.

"Signing of the comprehensive agreement represents a significant milestone for the project and brings us one step closer to the delivery of these much-needed transportation improvements," said Christopher Leslie, CEO, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners. "I'm pleased with the strong partnership formed between VDOT and ERC to design and deliver a quality project for the communities of Hampton Roads. We look forward to achieving financial close early in 2012."

"Our partnership with the Commonwealth will deliver this nationally significant project responsibly, economically, and expeditiously," said Karl Reichelt, executive vice president of Skanska Infrastructure Development, co-developer of ERC. "And importantly, it will improve quality of life for the region by opening new channels for economic development, travel and enhanced safety response."

For additional information visit:
• Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension at www.midtowntunnel.org
• Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships at www.vappta.org