SB178 Summary

• Amends Section 23-1-40 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to authorize the Department of Transportation to enter into various construction and financing agreements with public and private entities for roads, bridges, and tunnels.

• Permits alternative project delivery methods including design-build, design-build-operate, design-build-finance-operate-maintain, and leases or concessions for public road, bridge, and tunnel projects.

• Applies only to projects with estimated construction costs of at least $100,000,000; prohibits grouping projects more than one mile apart to meet this threshold; excludes asphalt pavement resurfacing projects.

• Requires the Department to develop procedures for proposal evaluation including content, selection criteria, prequalification, interviews, evaluation, negotiation, and award processes outlined in each request for proposal.

• Allows the Department to evaluate and award proposals based on qualifications of participants or best value as determined by Department procedures, considering the best interest of the State of Alabama.