Transportation industry

DALLAS — Houston’s decision to allow Southwest Airlines to open five new international gates at Hobby Airport in competition with United Airlines at Bush Intercontinental Airport is a credit positive for the Houston Airport System, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

New York City’s Department of Transportation on Monday issued a request for statements of qualifications to operate its 81,000 street meters in a private management agreement.

DALLAS — Amid renewed attention to the growing border economy, two major bond issues from the El Paso, Texas, international crossroads region will provide funding for transportation, law enforcement and education.

The Maine Turnpike Authority, operator of a primary travel corridor through southern Maine, is proposing toll increases that would raise $26.5 million to meet its present and long-term financial needs.

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation is preparing to raise tolls to help finance $1.8 billion of road improvement projects.

BRADENTON, Fla. — After the sale of $673 million of bonds to finance most of North Carolina's second toll road — the 19.7-mile Monroe Connector — the project has stalled.

DALLAS — The Houston Airport System expects to begin expansion of Hobby Airport next spring using debt backed by Southwest Airlines as the discount carrier begins offering international flights.

The Santa Rosa Bay Bridge Authority, which oversees the 3.5-mile Garcon Point toll bridge in northwest Florida, has canceled its June 13 meeting.

WASHINGTON — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voted on Wednesday to drop a controversial labor agreement from Phase II procurement for its $6 billion, 23 mile metrorail extension project to the Dulles International Airport.

In a move that is likely to make Virginia the leading state for public-private partnerships, Gov. Robert McDonnell has announced 22 transportation and infrastructure projects that may be developed as P3s.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority plans a $415.6 million sale of Series 2012A assessment bonds on Thursday, after a one-day retail period.

CHICAGO — Ohio State University on Friday is expected to tap a private investor that has offered $483 million in cash to take over the school’s parking system for 50 years in a deal that would make OSU the first public university to privatize such an asset.

Federal transportation officials said they want additional information before committing funds to a proposed light-rail line financed by private investors along one of Detroit's main thoroughfares.

Chicago is challenging $50 million in reimbursement payments sought by the private consortium that leases the city’s parking meter system.

DALLAS — The Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority, which feeds suburban traffic to the Harris County toll system in the Houston area, is advance refunding $119 million of debt while continuing its expansion.

WASHINGTON — Private firms have until July 12 to submit bids to operate the Port of Virginia as part of a public-private partnership, an opportunity created by the Virginia Department of Transportation after it received an unsolicited P3 proposal.

Austin voters won’t see a proposal to authorize $275 million of general obligation bonds for a light-rail system on the November ballot, Mayor Lee Leffingwell said last week.

CHICAGO – The Chicago Transit Authority Friday unveiled plans for a $500 million overhaul of its bus fleet by 2014.

The board of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has added TD Securities to its approved pool of variable-rate remarketing agents and dealers, after the MTA’s finance committee signed off on the move.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley Thursday selected 105 road and bridge improvement projects for the first round of funding in the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, or ATRIP.