No Competition

Back in 1995 when Transurban negotiated the concession for Melbourne CityLink they gained a right to compensation if the government builds a new competing road, grants a concession for a new road, implements changes to the existing road network detrimental to CityLink, or builds a new technology transport system in the corridor. The government is free however to build a conventional rail line to the airport. Transurban’s consultants had advised that a rail line would attract so little patronage it would have no measurable impact on road traffic or toll revenues! Lesson there for the Dulles Corridor in DC?