Infrastructure/Public-Private Partnerships

Overview

Since making history in 1994 with the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge – built as the first public-private partnership in Puerto Rico -- McConnell Valdés has been a leader in developing public-private partnerships for high-profile infrastructure projects.

From toll roads to alternative solar and wind power energy projects, our full-service Infrastructure/Public-Private Partnerships Practice group regularly counsels clients involved in Puerto Rico’s most significant P3 projects.  

We have built an exceptional track record by helping clients successfully develop, build, finance, operate, and maintain major infrastructure projects. Back in 2011, McConnell Valdés lawyers again made history when they represented an Abertis/Goldman Sachs consortium that was awarded a long-term concession to operate and maintain two major toll roads. This $1 billion transaction was the first public-private partnership established under the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2009. More recently, McConnell Valdés lawyers again made history with the closing of the largest public-private partnership in the history of Puerto Rico. For a concession fee of $2.85 billion, our client, Metropistas, successfully entered into a Concession Agreement with the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority to improve, finance, operate, and maintain toll roads PR-20, PR-52, PR-53, and PR-66.

Drawing on their extensive experience in project finance and complex P3 transactions, our lawyers also represent Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport under a public private partnership agreement, as well as the management of major entertainment venues, such as the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Convention Center. We also advised in the formation of the Puerto Rico P3 Association and continue serving as its counsel.

We serve our clients by helping them with: 

• Analysis of RFQ’s and RFPs
• Due diligence of all factual and legal aspects of transactions
• Drafting and negotiating of P3 agreements
• Assist with transaction tax planning and structuring
• Establishing operations of new corporate entity designed to operate a P3, including all commencement filings
• Counsel on employment, government affairs and environmental/land use law issues

News & Publications