Private highways in the United States

Relative to the economy at that time, this effort exceeded the post-World War II interstate highway system.

As railroads and steamboats began to compete with the turnpikes, less profitable highways started to shut down or be turned over to governments.

[13] The Super Slab is a proposed private highway that would run from north of Fort Collins to south of Pueblo.

proposed the Castle Rock Alternative Parkway, which would run through the home of Super Slab developer Ray Wells.

[17] However, through a carefully constructed legal framework, Disney operates the roads and utilities as wholly owned subsidiaries, rather than as a public-private partnership.

An Associated Press article notes, "Board members are non-Disney business people from central Florida and must own at least an acre [4,000 m²] in the district.

"[18] An Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability report explains the contractual arrangement as follows: "Historically, each board member has been deeded approximately five acres [20,000 m²] of land by an affiliate of the Walt Disney World Co. .

According to RCID officials, a Walt Disney World Co. affiliate has the exclusive option to purchase land back from board members at any time.

The remaining taxpayers are board members and lessees of property owned by Disney affiliates (e.g., House of Blues, Travelodge, and Hilton) paying ad valorem taxes.

[23] In 2014 the operators sought bankruptcy protection with a creditor-supported restructuring plan after dwindling traffic soured a $3.8 billion bet on a 75-year lease.

[24] In early 2007, there were plans for a private developer, Cintra-Zachry, to invest $1.3 billion to build a 40-mile (64 km) toll-funded southward extension to complete the "Trans-Texas Corridor.

[27][28] Texas State Highway 130 was largely funded and operated by private developers but has been criticized for its poor quality and lack of use.