Simon Santiago has worked exclusively in the field of construction law for more than a decade and has both significant transactional and litigation experience. He represents public sector clients using innovative financing, delivery, and procurement methods to develop large-scale transportation infrastructure projects.
Mr. Santiago's construction litigation experience and successful negotiations of favorable multi-million dollar settlements contributes to his demonstrated ability to develop strategies and contracts that reduce the potential risk for his clients.
Representative Work
Florida Department of Transportation – I-595 Corridor Improvements Project. Advising on Florida's first highway public-private partnership transportation project, a $1.5 billion project to add 10.5 miles of reversible express toll lanes to an existing interstate using an availability payment financing structure.
Georgia Department of Transportation – PPP Program. Appointed as special assistant attorney general to assist in developing and implementing the Department's public-private partnership program. Responsibilities include providing advice on governing rules and guidelines, project selection and screening, and procurement documents.
Virginia Department of Transportation – Midtown Tunnel Project. Advising the Department in the procurement of a public-private partnership to develop the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Freeway Extension project in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. The project is comprised of a new two-lane tunnel parallel to the existing Midtown Tunnel, maintenance and safety improvements to the existing Midtown and Downtown Tunnels, and extension of the MLK Freeway to Interstate 264. The project, estimated to cost between $1.3 to $2.2 billion, is to be financed through tolls.
North Carolina Turnpike Authority - Mid-Currituck Bridge. Serves as outside legal advisor on the procurement for a new seven-mile tolled bridge facility over Currituck Sound to the Outer Banks. The project is estimated to cost $659 million to complete and will be developed as a public-private partnership under a pre-development agreement, which was executed in April 2009. The developer will perform certain key design, engineering and development functions for the project in concert with NCTA, in exchange for the right to negotiate the State's first toll concession agreement to design, build, finance, and operate the project.
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation – Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. Represented the Department in contract negotiations for the design and construction of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The approximately $4 billion project would extend the Metrorail along the 23-mile Dulles Corridor.
Texas Department of Transportation – DFW Connector Project. Assisted with the development of procurement strategies and drafted project procurement documents. The Department is developing the estimated $1 billion highway improvement and managed toll lanes project through a comprehensive development agreement.
Maryland Transportation Authority – I-95 Travel Plazas. Assisting the Authority in the procurement to redevelop the Maryland and Chesapeake House Travel Plazas on Interstate I-95 through a design, build, finance, operate and maintain agreement with a private developer.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – All Electronic Tolling Legislative Reports. Advised the Authority on state and federal law affecting the implementation of all electronic tolling on the Authority's facilities. Work included addressing driver privacy issues, recommending legislative changes for toll enforcement and collection, and analyzing federal solutions for interstate cooperation and interoperability of toll systems.
District of Columbia Department of Transportation – Innovative Financing and Program Delivery Report. Assisted the Department's efforts to identify, assess and implement innovative financing options to fund more than $2.4 billion worth of capital improvement projects. Work included evaluating federal transportation programs, local financing and procurement laws and innovative project delivery strategies.