As a result, new funding partnership approaches and financing mechanisms are needed to ensure that scarce transportation dollars are used more effectively. Innovative financing can help close the current investment gap. The FHWA has created the Innovative Finance newsletter to increase awareness and understanding of innovative finance opportunities through articles that describe the results of U.S. DOT-sponsored research, case studies, announcements of upcoming conferences, meetings, and training programs, and resources, such as reports, guidance, and contacts. The newsletter will serve as a resource for its readers in developing innovative strategies in their own transportation systems. It will also provide a forum for notifying state DOTs and MPOs of best practices nationwide.
Innovative financing requires creativity and cross-fertilization of ideas.
To facilitate this process and create a record of achievement and a base of knowledge about innovative finance, the Editors welcome your feedback on the newsletter and encourage suggestions for future issues. Innovative methods are expected to accelerate project completion by six to ten years, save millions of dollars in escalation and interest costs, and encourage similar innovation on other transportation projects in the state. The George Bush Turnpike will connect the Dallas metropolitan area to its rapidly growing northern communities. This new roadway is needed to relieve congestion and to support future economic growth in the area. Under more traditional financing methods, the project's size would have created delays resulting in significant exposure to the costs of inflation.