“Cintra’s design of its I-66 express lanes in Virginia provides for 11% more ramp capacity than Virginia DOT’s design. The added connectivity costs more to build, but is paid for by the increase in profitability. VDOT supported the approach because it substantially improves customer satisfaction, and the state’s ability to oversee operations. “Why didn’t our designers come up with the same answer? Probably because it cost more to build,” he says. “Clearly, the private sector was able to think outside the box.”