ARTBA Honors Pioneers and Leaders

Awards were announced during the milestone 25th annual P3s Transportation Conference in Washington, D.C.

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A long-time editor and publisher, a Chicago construction executive and an Indiana transportation official were honored July 25 for their extensive contributions to the advancement of public-private partnerships (P3s) in transportation during the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) milestone 25th Annual P3 Conference, held in the Nation’s Capital. 

ARTBA’s “P3 Awards” in several categories were presented during a special gala dinner held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: 

“Legacy Award:” It distinguishes one deserving individual for major, career-long contributions to the P3 community.  This year’s selection is Bill Reinhardt, founder, editor and publisher of the “Public Works Financing” newsletter.  For 25 years Reinhardt’s reporting has earned him a reputation as an objective, unbiased interpreter of complex project delivery methods; making his publication an indispensable chronicle for anyone involved in P3s.

 

“Project of the Year”: It recognizes projects that exemplify the value of P3s in the U.S. The Ohio River Bridges-End Crossing was selected.  The massive, nationally recognized improvement was initiated by Indiana and Kentucky to help improve safety, alleviate traffic congestion, connect highways and create new economic development opportunities, and is a prime example of the ingenuity of P3s in practice.

 

“Entrepreneur of the Year Award”: It honors public and private sector professionals who have made significant contributions to the development, growth and public education of P3s.  The public-sector recipient is Kendra York, director of public finance at the Indiana Finance Authority.  Ms. York was recognized for her work leading procurement of the Ohio River Bridges-East End Crossing and dedication to the P3 model as a way to provide high quality transportation infrastructure options at a lower investment cost to taxpayers.

 

Matt Walsh, CEO and co-chair of the Chicago-based Walsh Group is the private-sector winner for leading the family-owned business that will join a consortium to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain a 2,510 foot main span, twin tower cable-stayed bridge across the Ohio River linking Louisville, Kentucky to Southern Indiana, as well as a twin bore tunnel, 19 additional bridges and other related infrastructure improvements.

 

Finally, ARTBA President Pete Ruane announced awards for five “founding” members who were key players in creation of the annual P3 conference and membership division in the late 1980s.  Among them and their company affiliation at that time:

 

  • Henry Schrader, URS Consultants (posthumously)
  • Bill Allen, Parsons Brinckerhoff
  • John Wight, HNTB
  • Ray Tillman, URS Consultants
  • Jack Kinstlinger, Kidde Consultants
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