SB178 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Transportation Department, contracts, public to private firms, construction and maintenance of road and public improvement projects, Sec. 23-1-40 am'd.

Summary

SB178 allows Alabama's Department of Transportation to enter design-build and other public-private contracting and financing arrangements for road, bridge, or tunnel projects, and requires a formal project evaluation process.

What This Bill Does

It expands the DOT's authority to contract with public and private partners for constructing and financing roads, bridges, tunnels, and related work. It introduces design-build and related delivery and operating arrangements (such as design-build-operate or design-build-finance-operate-maintain) and other agreements like leases or concessions. It requires the DOT to develop procedures for evaluating and selecting projects, including proposal content, criteria, and negotiation/award processes, and sets a $100 million minimum for such contracts (with restrictions on grouping projects and excluding asphalt resurfacing) along with an immediate effective date upon governor approval.

Who It Affects

• State Department of Transportation (DOT) expands contracting authority and must implement evaluation procedures for public-private projects.
• Private sector entities (e.g., corporations, partnerships, LLCs, joint ventures) and public/private partnerships are eligible to bid on and participate in DOT-aligned road, bridge, or tunnel projects under new delivery and financing arrangements.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 23-1-40 to authorize the DOT to contract with public and private parties for construction and related work on roads, bridges, or tunnels under its jurisdiction.
• Adds design-build, design-build-operate, design-build-own-operate, design-build-own-operate-maintain, design-build-finance-operate-maintain, and similar arrangements as allowable project delivery methods, including leases, licenses, franchises, and concessions.
• Projects may be awarded using existing procurement authorities with evaluation based on qualifications, best value, or both, as determined by the Department.
• Projects must meet a minimum estimated construction cost of $100 million; the Department cannot group separate projects to meet this threshold, and the provision does not apply to asphalt resurfacing.
• The DOT must develop procedures for implementing these provisions, covering proposal content, selection criteria, prequalification, interviews, evaluation, negotiation, selection, and award.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon the Governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Transportation Department