Fredric Kessler is a nationally recognized leader in the field of public-private partnerships (PPPs). His precedent setting transactional work has been instrumental in the success of high profile public infrastructure projects such as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Pocahontas Parkway.
With more than 30 years of legal experience, Mr. Kessler is adept at structuring successful concessions and advising on the strategic business decisions behind them. He has pioneered the domestic application of international PPP best practices and has extensive experience with innovative procurement and project delivery methods, and negotiated agreements.
Mr. Kessler frequently speaks and writes about PPPs at key industry conferences and in professional publications. He was recently asked to serve on a blue ribbon panel to develop national policy recommendations for transportation financing and is listed in
Chambers USA 2008 as one of the nation's top infrastructure attorneys.
Representative Work
Texas Department of Transportation – Comprehensive Development Agreement Program. Currently serving as special counsel for TxDOT's innovative public/private partnership program, focusing on procurements, contracting issues and templates for toll concession agreements. Projects include:
- North Tarrant Express. Procurement of a toll concession comprehensive development agreement and a pre-development agreement for this $2.0 billion managed lanes project in the Forth Worth area.
- IH 635. Procurement of a comprehensive development agreement for this $2.7 billion managed lanes project in Dallas.
- Trans-Texas Corridor 35. Procurement of a comprehensive development agreement for a $40 billion, 400 mile multi-modal transportation project.
- State Highway 130, Segments 5 & 6 Toll Road. Developed and negotiated a long-term concession agreement to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a $1.1 billion toll road.
- State Highway 121. Assisted with procurement and negotiation of a 50-year concession agreement for the $4 billion project in Dallas.
Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) - Knik Arm Crossing. Team co-leader assisting KABATA with the structuring, formation and procurement of a public-private partnership for the Knik Arm Crossing, a $670 million, 2-mile toll bridge which is the first public-private partnership transportation project in Alaska.
Washington State Department of Transportation – Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Negotiated a comprehensive public-private agreement between WSDOT and a Bechtel affiliate to privately finance, develop, operate and maintain the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. After the state assumed delivery of financing, negotiated and wrote a $615 million design-build contract for design and construction awarded to a Bechtel/Kiewit joint venture. The bridge, which opened in July 2007, is the country's first new suspension bridge in 35 years.
Washington State Department of Transportation – Urban Corridors Program. Served as special counsel on procurement and design-build contracting for a long-term major transportation improvement program for the Puget Sound region.
Washington State Department of Transportation – Innovative Partnerships Program. Served on a team that negotiated five precedent setting agreements for private financing and development of transportation infrastructure projects.
Washington State Department of Transportation – Light Lanes. Developed a PPP in which WSDOT granted a private developer permission to install a 700-mile fiber optic network along interstate rights-of-way in exchange for equipment and a share of the fiber.
Virginia Department of Transportation – Pocahontas Parkway. Advised VDOT on the structuring of the original $353 million nonprofit corporation toll revenue financing of the parkway. Subsequently advised on the long-term concessioning of the project to Transurban, allowing VDOT to recoup all its investment and obtain a commitment to build and finance an extension to the Richmond airport.