First attempts at privatization of TDOT Fails

Infrastructure Corporation of America fails at slaying the TDOT Dragon

This looks promising and worth a trial program…..Be looking for the special interest that will be crowding the halls of Capitol Hill to oppose any change to the status quo of living off the TDOT largess.

TDOT Nixes Privatization Amid Budget Woes
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

A Brentwood-based company would love to manage part of the state’s transportation system, but initial conversations haven’t gone anywhere.

Infrastructure Corporation of America manages interstates in Florida, Virginia, Texas and soon South Carolina. The company allows states to privatize everything from rest area maintenance to road paving and striping. The Florida Department of Transportation says the company could do some of its jobs for 17-percent less than what it cost the state.

Company president Troy Dover says ICA operates based on performance. He says that’s not the M-O of most D-O-T’s.

“When you have a large organization with a lot of people and equipment, you spend the vast amount of your time doing nothing but managing the equipment and the people.”

Dover had been in talks with TDOT about taking over some functions as early as next year. But commissioner Gerald Nicely says now isn’t the time.

“I just think right now, in today’s environment, with employee layoffs threatened, with buyouts going on and the concern of our employees, I just think we don’t need to plunge into that area right now.”

Nicely says privatization could generate savings in the long run, but it could have costs up front. He says he would be willing to try privatization if directed by the General Assembly. And such efforts could find a warmer welcome in the upcoming session since Republican’s now lead both chambers.

–>By Blake Farmer