From the Daily Camera (Boulder):  Nothing like the term “multinational firm” in a contract to build a major public roadway to inspire a collective community freak-out.

The public-private partnership between the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Plenary Group came about quietly until it blew up into what many people thought was a major scandal. The partnership will build out US 36, including replacing and improving bridges, adding bus rapid transit lanes, and a toll lane for single occupancy vehicles. Wide shoulders and RTD stations included.

Bus lanes and bike corridors will encourage alternative transportation, which is what most locals said they want in order to improve the oft-clogged corridor between Boulder and Denver. And CDOT didn’t have the funds to do it on its own, and there’s no stomach here in Colorado to raise transportation taxes, so what’s not to love? The fears that some Aussie outfit was going to secretly erect $50 toll stations willy-nilly, apparently.

It seems that the transparency over the 50-year arrangement was the main issue. The legislature has addressed that with a bill that the governor could sign within about a month. Local lawmakers Sen. Matt Jones and Rep. Mike Foote were primary sponsors.

Visit the Daily Camera for more.