Schwarznegger endorses private toll roads

Schwarznegger endorses private toll roads Count California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger among the growing ranks of state leaders who favor privatizing highways.
   The government should hand over to the private sector responsibility for building, maintaining and operating roads, tunnels, bridges and other infrastructure, Schwarzenegger said in response to a question following an address at the National Press Club in Washington.
   'The big money is in the private sector,' he said. Government simply needs to set clear guidelines for companies to operate in the infrastructure sector while allowing them to charge user fees, he said.
   'It's like driving into a parking garage. You pay for parking your car there,' said the governor, who was in town for the National Governors' Association conference.
   Foreign companies should be allowed to invest in U.S. toll roads and related projects, he added.
   California is encouraging public-private partnerships as part of a huge infrastructure program funded in large part by a bond initiative.