The Washington Post editorial board is enthusiastic about Virginia’s I-66 outside-the-beltway deal, writing that, “Details of the winning bid will not be known until it’s finalized next year, but on the face of it there is reason for optimism for commuters and taxpayers alike. In addition to the $500 million up-front windfall, the state will also receive $850 million for transit improvements . . . , plus another $350 million for other nearby road, bridge and interchange projects. Risks to the state are minimized; if the consortium goes bankrupt, it will remain on the hook for the debt it will assume for the project. Of course, if it does go bankrupt, the project itself will revert back to the state.”
