Queensferry Crossing

Queensferry Crossing

This blog has covered a variety of infrastructure projects around the world. Now, let’s focus on Scotland.  The Queensferry Crossing is a new 2.7 kilometer un-tolled cable-stayed bridge, located alongside the Forth railway bridge. With a supporting infrastructure of another 4 kilometers of roads, this project has potential to completely revamp Scotland’s road infrastructure.

This project was finally finished in August 2017 (the original deadline was December 2016). “The crossing replaces an aging road bridge and is‑seen as vital to the country’s economic wellbeing, improving the reliability of journey times for all modes of transport….Scotland’s government has chosen to fully fund the project with public money” (KPMG).

The project has already started showing its benefits. Data has shown a slight reduction in travel times both northbound and southbound. With the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) features added (with emphasis on increased safety), there have been fewer accidents. Independent watch dogs have revealed that the project has delivered value for money and was well managed. This project also has great aesthetic value so it can bring in tourists, social change and confidence to the country’s economy. At the end, this would be a game-changer for Scotland.

A picture of the Queensferry Crossing (Image Credits: Arup)

Public Private Partnerships in America

Private Public Partnerships in America

Public-Private Partnerships are arrangements between private companies and public sector organizations can help constant investments into public sector while bringing responsibility and accountability to private firms. It would be ensured that the construction and maintenance works would be completed and delivered in time while reducing delays on infrastructure projects. Studies have also proven that the return on investment (ROI) might be higher in PPP-operated projects than an only government/all-private owned project. Risk mitigation and contingency measures are also taken before the start of the projects. Seeing all these advantages, this is the most popular form of financing major infrastructure projects in developing countries. Yet, private public partnerships have started to become accepted only in recent times in America. “The market for public-private partnerships (P3s, also known as PPPs) in the US is gaining ground. Investors are interested, capital is plentiful, and the federal government is increasingly involved” (PWC).

An infographic explaining the pros and cons of a public private partnership (Image Credits: The Balance)

MTA Signal Replacement

MTA Signal Replacement

The MTA which operates the New York subway system has been constantly criticized for unreliable performance, extremely long delays in construction and poor accessibility features of the stations. At present, there are “728 miles of mainline signals but 37% of them have already crossed their 50-year useful life. What does this mean? This means that trains are moving much slowly. These are just some quantitative stats. So, how to repair this?

“In September, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced as part of its 2020-2024 capital plan and Andy Byford’s Fast Forward vision that $7.1 billion will be allocated to replacing the signal systems on six sections of the subway system, including the Lexington Avenue Nos. 4, 5 and 6 lines. The updated signal system is called communications-based train control, which is a computerized version of the current signal system that will control the speed, starting and stopping of subway trains. The MTA’s current outdated signal systems have long been criticized as a leading cause of the system’s notorious delays. As part of the MTA’s previous capital plan, other routes were selected to undergo the same signal system upgrade, including the No. 7 line, but upgrades have proved challenging, since the new system requires additional power on some lines, as well as new or upgraded cars” (Cityandstateny).

A picture of the subway (Image Credits: Metro Magazine)