With transportation infrastructure needs across the nation dwarfing available public resources, bringing private financing to the table in the form of public-private-partnerships (P3s) is an option many state governments need to consider. Understanding the myriad complex financing options available, however, and their policy implications, is not an easy task, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

To help state legislators navigate the P3 field, in partnership with ARTBA, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Foundation has developed and made available a first-of-its-kind P3 resource guide.

ARTBA, whose P3 membership division has been working with the Congress and federal government for almost two decades to open doors for private investment in state and local transportation projects, approached the NCSL Foundation in 2007 about creating a P3 educational program for state legislators and key staff. ARTBA provided seed money to the foundation to get the project moving forward.

The final product, developed by the NCSL staff working with a committee of state legislators and experts in the transportation financing arena, is now being distributed. As a next step, ARTBA’s P3 members and staff will be working with the NCSL to conduct webinars on the subject, as well as workshops held in state capitols.

The NCSL resource guide is available in the “quick links” section of www.artba.org.