Greystar, a leading organization in the investment, development and management of rental housing properties has made the decision to expand into the realm of Infrastructure Development. Michael Hoverman, bringing nearly 2 decades of experience, has been brought on board as the new Director of Infrastructure, marking a new direction as they aim to diversify their portfolio. Greystar plans to concentrate on infrastructure that enhances "urban living," with interests in areas like clean power, data centers, transition fuels, social infrastructure, transportation, and logistics. Supporting communities where Greystar is already active, their expansion will seek out opportunities in areas that offer 'long-term, secular growth, such as energy transition, digitization and transportation infrastructure'. Initially focusing upon the US market, Greystar plans to exploit its current global network in the future. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of Nov 2021 has already had $454B of its $1.2T pot claimed, which is still only 38% of the total at the half way point. This, and other federal funding has boosted the infrastructure sector over the past few years. Greystar are but one of many companies looking to capitalize on the current need for new infrastructure projects.

Navigating the Financial Landscape of Road Infrastructure Projects: Overcoming Funding Challenges The road to funding infrastructure projects can be filled with potholes and detours, but with the right strategies in place, we can pave a smoother path forward. I hereby present some challenges and solutions in financing road infrastructure projects: Challenges: Limited Public Funding: Government budgets can be stretched thin, making it difficult to secure the necessary funds for road infrastructure. Risk Perceptions: Private investors may be hesitant to invest in road projects due to potential risks and uncertainties. Complex Regulations: Navigating the regulatory landscape can be daunting and time-consuming for project stakeholders. Solutions: Leverage public-private partnerships (PPPs):_ By pooling resources and sharing risks, PPPs can unlock new funding sources and drive innovation in road infrastructure development. Utilize innovative financing tools: From green bonds to infrastructure banks, a range of specialized financing mechanisms can help bridge funding gaps and attract private capital. Streamline regulations and processes: Governments can work to simplify regulatory requirements and expedite approval processes, making it easier for project proponents to secure financing. By addressing these challenges head-on and embracing creative solutions, we can overcome financial hurdles and accelerate the development of critical road infrastructure projects that benefit communities around the world. Let's pave the way for a smoother, more connected future!

What is the role of concession projects in modern infrastructure? Concession projects have become crucial in meeting the demand for high-quality public services amid financial constraints. These projects have significantly shaped modern infrastructure by changing how governments manage it. In both developing and developed countries, private ownership is increasingly replacing public provision, creating competition, and improving service quality.   Concession infrastructure involves a contractual arrangement between a public authority and private operators. This creates grounds for private operators to take part in a traditionally public sector, creating competition, leading to higher quality services and attractive returns for investors.   As a form of public-private partnership (PPP), concession projects involve private entities in designing, building, financing, maintaining, and operating assets for a specific period before handing them back to the public authority. This model leverages private investments and expertise, ensuring vital infrastructure projects are completed without immediate public expenditure. By shifting the burden of capital investment to private entities, governments can allocate resources more effectively across multiple projects.   Private sector involvement brings advanced technology, innovative solutions, and efficient management practices, resulting in improved delivery of infrastructure projects. Private operators and investors strive to deliver superior public services, leading to benefits like better-maintained roads, and modern social infrastructure, such as the New Amsterdam Courthouse and the Blankenburg Tunnel.   However, this approach has challenges. Concession projects involve various stakeholders with different interests. Stakeholder engagement throughout a project's lifecycle is crucial. Addressing concerns promptly ensures smoother project execution. Regular monitoring of private partners' performance ensures compliance with agreed standards and allows for flexibility insofar stakeholders agree.   To conclude concession projects are vital for modern infrastructure development, offering practical solutions to financial and operational challenges faced by governments. When implemented effectively, these projects deliver high-quality assets and services that stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for the public. Success lies a.o. in careful planning, selecting the right private parties (Special Purpose Companies; SPC), consistent oversight but foremost in constructive and open dialogue with all stakeholders involved, ensuring long-term sustainability and public benefit.  

10 Mega projects Projects transforming U.S. infrastructure. Brightline West High-Speed Rail System: Connecting California and Nevada with $3 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Gateway Program: Hudson Tunnel Project Systems and Fit Out: A $16 billion rail project in New York and New Jersey, supported by federal-local partnership funding. Penn Station Access: Enhancing rail infrastructure in New York with over $1 billion from the Federal-State Partnership (FSP) for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program. Upper Ohio River Navigation: Rehabilitating locks and dams in Pennsylvania with a total project cost of $2.1 billion. Raleigh to Richmond Innovating Rail Program: Upgrading rail tracks in North Carolina with $1.1 billion in funding. Quartet of Regional Hydrogen Hub Projects: Establishing hydrogen production facilities across the Midwest, Appalachia, California, and Texas, with federal assistance from the US Department of Energy (DOE). Transforming Rail in Virginia Phase 2: Improving rail infrastructure in Virginia and Washington DC, including the construction of a new Long Bridge over the Potomac River, with $729 million in federal funding.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Opportunities and Challenges for Pennsylvania Manufacturers The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) continues to be a pivotal force in shaping the manufacturing landscape in Pennsylvania throughout 2024. This landmark bipartisan legislation is focused on revitalizing America's infrastructure, and its effects are rippling through the manufacturing sector, creating both opportunities and challenges. Increased Demand for Manufacturing Goods The IIJA's ambitious goals for rebuilding and improving infrastructure have led to a surge in demand for various manufacturing products, from construction materials to advanced machinery. Pennsylvania manufacturers are seeing increased orders for steel, concrete, machinery, and other essential components. Key Impacts on Day-to-Day Operations: • Production Scaling: Manufacturers must scale their production capabilities to meet the heightened demand. This often involves investing in new machinery, expanding facilities, and hiring additional workers. • Supply Chain Management: Efficiently managing the supply chain becomes critical to ensure timely delivery of raw materials and finished products. Manufacturers need to forge strong relationships with suppliers to avoid disruptions. • Quality Control: With more projects underway, maintaining high standards of quality control is essential to meet the stringent requirements of IIJA-funded projects. Funding and Financial Incentives The IIJA provides significant funding opportunities for manufacturers involved in infrastructure projects. Pennsylvania manufacturers can benefit from grants and contracts, which can help finance expansion and technological upgrades.(We'd love to tell you more about these opportunities!) Key Impacts on Day-to-Day Operations: • Grant Applications: Manufacturers need to navigate the grant application process, ensuring they meet all criteria and deadlines to secure funding. • Financial Planning: With access to additional funds, manufacturers can strategically plan for long-term investments in technology, workforce development, and sustainability initiatives. Compliance with Regulations To participate in IIJA-funded projects, manufacturers must adhere to specific regulations and standards. This ensures that products are safe, reliable, and meet the necessary quality benchmarks. Key Impacts on Day-to-Day Operations: • Regulatory Training: Employees must be trained in the latest regulations to ensure compliance. This may involve regular workshops and updates on industry standards. • Documentation and Reporting: Manufacturers need robust documentation and reporting systems to track compliance and demonstrate adherence to regulatory requirements. The IIJA presents a wealth of opportunities for Pennsylvania manufacturers. By adapting to increased demand, securing funding, and maintaining compliance, manufacturers can thrive in this dynamic environment and contribute to the nation’s infrastructur

The Role of Infrastructure South Africa in Public and Private Infrastructure Development 🏗️🇿🇦 Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) is vital to our country's infrastructure growth, driving both public and private sector projects to support economic development and improve quality of life. Public Infrastructure Development: 1. Strategic Planning and Coordination 📋 - National Infrastructure Plan (NIP): ISA develops and executes the NIP, focusing on transportation, energy, water, and social infrastructure. - Interdepartmental Coordination: Streamlines efforts across government departments for efficient resource use. 2. Project Management and Implementation 🚧 - Project Pipeline Management: Manages strategic public projects, ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery. - Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracks project progress and impact, ensuring they meet objectives. 3. Financing and Investment 💰 - Government and International Funding: Secures funds from government and international donors for public projects. 4. Capacity Building and Support 🛠️ - Technical Assistance and Skills Development: Provides support and promotes skills development for effective project management. Private Infrastructure Development: 1. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) 🤝 - Collaboration and Risk Sharing: Facilitates partnerships, sharing risks and rewards to promote efficient and innovative project delivery. 2. Investment Mobilization 💸 - Attracting Private Investment: Creates a conducive environment and incentives for private sector involvement. - Innovative Financing Models: Implements models to attract private capital. 3. Enhancing Private Sector Participation 📈 - Project Opportunities and Regulatory Support: Identifies investment opportunities and provides regulatory support to facilitate participation. Impact on Infrastructure Development: 1. Economic Growth and Job Creation 📊 - Stimulating the Economy: Drives growth and job creation through strategic infrastructure projects. 2. Quality of Life Improvements 🌍 - Essential Services: Enhances transportation, energy, water, and housing services. 3. Sustainable and Resilient Development 🌱 - Sustainability Goals: Aligns projects with sustainability goals for resilient infrastructure. ISA is instrumental in shaping South Africa's infrastructure landscape, ensuring development that supports economic growth, improves quality of life, and promotes sustainability.

The Role of Public-Private Partnership Contracts in Rail Infrastructure Development In recent years, developing countries have encountered significant challenges in financing infrastructure projects, particularly in the rail sector. Public-private partnership (PPP) models, including BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer), BOLT (Build-Operate-Lease-Transfer), and ROT (Repair-Operate-Transfer), have emerged as effective strategies to optimize resource allocation and enhance project efficiency. These PPP contracts bring several key benefits to rail development: Increased Investment: By utilizing diverse contract structures, governments can attract private funding, addressing critical funding gaps that often hinder the progress of rail infrastructure projects. This increased investment is vital for expanding and modernizing rail networks. Enhanced Efficiency: Private companies often bring innovation, expertise, and operational efficiencies to project execution. This results in faster completion times and better maintenance practices, which are crucial for the longevity and reliability of rail systems. Risk Mitigation: Different PPP models allow for the strategic allocation of financial and operational risks between public and private sectors. For example, in BOT or BOLT agreements, private investors assume construction and operational risks, thus reducing the burden on public finances and allowing governments to focus on broader economic development goals. Long-Term Sustainability: Contracts such as ROT and MOT ensure ongoing maintenance and management responsibilities are clearly defined, helping to maintain the functionality and efficiency of rail networks over time. This long-term focus can lead to improved service reliability, increased ridership, and greater public satisfaction. Turkey’s successful implementation of BOT and BOLT contracts during the 1990s serves as a noteworthy example. By effectively leveraging these models, Turkey attracted significant foreign investment, resulting in substantial improvements in its rail infrastructure and overall economic growth. This experience provides valuable lessons for other developing nations seeking to enhance their rail networks. The World Bank emphasizes the necessity of establishing robust legal frameworks and promoting transparency in the procurement process to optimize the effectiveness of these PPP contracts. Ensuring that both public and private interests are protected is crucial for building trust and encouraging participation from private investors. For developing countries, adopting and adapting these PPP models can pave the way for sustainable growth, improved infrastructure, and better economic conditions. Ultimately, this approach can significantly enhance the quality of life for citizens by providing reliable and efficient rail services that support economic development. Omid Moradalian M.Sc. Railway Track and Structure Engineering Railway Planning Specialist

💸🛣 California Infrastructure Investment🛣💸 California's new Build.ca.gov website is a commendable stride toward transparency in #infrastructure development, tracking a substantial $180 billion investment over the next decade. Aligned with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the platform showcases projects geared toward a 100% clean electric grid, water supply enhancement, and #transportation modernization. Governor Gavin Newsom's Infrastructure Strike Team, established in May, has already demonstrated success by swiftly addressing damage from a fire on the I-10 freeway in Los Angeles, defying initial repair estimates. The website's interactive map spotlights diverse projects, from a solar energy storage site in Kings County to Bosch's $1.5 billion chip fab investment. While acknowledging challenges, such as the high-speed rail project's cost overruns, the platform emphasizes the overall economic and connectivity benefits. This commitment to transparency sets a positive example, echoed by other states like Wisconsin and Massachusetts, along with the White House, which have launched similar tracking initiatives. California's Build.ca.gov stands as a beacon of progress, fostering optimism and accountability in the pursuit of a resilient and connected future for the state. If you are considering a change in your career in the near future I have exciting #Engineer, #ProjectManager, #Superintendent, #estimator and #scheduler vacancies across California with multiple leading ENR companies for current and upcoming projects. You can reach me on: 📞 (617) 366-1618 📨 Joe.robertson@appletonfinn.com #construction #infrastructure #jobs #heavycivil #california

You're invited to the UTS Webinar ‘Infrastructure Delivery: What’s Next?’ on 28th May 2024 Of the $100bn projects added to the Australia & New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline in 2023, $70bn were energy-related. Defence was the largest sector of non-energy projects, with just $6bn of new road/rail projects added. Against the background of this shift, the government needs to grapple with fiscal constraints, deliver the existing pipeline, avoid the headline “cost blowout”, and realise community benefits and expectations. In this online webinar, we'll explore the key questions surrounding infrastructure delivery and the pressing issues that demand attention and action. From project prioritisation to access to skilled labour and resources, investor preferences, risk management, and the housing shortfall, our panel will discuss the crucial problems impacting the future of Australia's infrastructure development. Panellists: - Sonya Campbell - Deputy Secretary, Commercial at the NSW Treasury.  - James Sherrard - Head of Commercial, Performance and Strategy at Transport NSW - Thao Oakey - Non-Executive Director on the board of Sydney Metro (NSW Govt authority). - Donny Yap – General Manager Strategy Sustainability and Innovation Ventia Moderator - Martin Locke – Adjunct Industry Professor, School of the Built Environment UTS, Course Leader Infrastructure Delivery – Time for a Reset. Coordinator - Shankar Sankaran  - Professor Organizational Project Management, School of the Built Environment, UTS Date: Tuesday 28th May Time: 12.30 to 1.30PM Zoom link for the free webinar will be sent upon registration at: https://lnkd.in/eWwHmGFg

This week the Nebraska Department of Transportation saw an 18 month vision become a reality when we unveiled the Nebraska Infrastructure Hub! 💡🛣️💡 The launch of the state’s first-ever intergovernmental entity is focused on empowering state and local public agencies in competing for federal discretionary grants. The Nebraska Infrastructure Hub aligns Governor Pillen’s vision of increasing Nebraska’s competitiveness for federal funding with providing support to state and local partners to, more confidently, navigate the challenges of the application and administration processes. Its activation supports a One Nebraska approach to enabling the state to develop infrastructure projects of regional significance. Technical assistance will be available from development and grant application through project delivery, ensuring once funding is awarded projects are ready to swiftly move forward. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), introduced federal discretionary funding opportunities never seen before. The Hub offers comprehensive resources and expert guidance to help communities navigate the competitive grant application process, which can be complex. Other key components of the Hub include a Grant Pairing Portal to match projects with suitable grants and a Project Development Support team, staffed by two full-time members, who provide personalized assistance and feedback on draft proposals. The program also facilitates partnerships and networking opportunities, offers technical support through on-call consultants to enhance proposals, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of grant-funded projects to ensure compliance and success. By centralizing resources, promoting transparency, and fostering collaboration, the Hub will play a pivotal role in accelerating the delivery of critical infrastructure projects and driving sustainable economic growth and prosperity across Nebraska communities. Local agencies can learn more by visiting https://lnkd.in/gPRwzFXi