Designing for the Future Sustainable Planning in Private Highways
                     DESIGNING FOR 
THE FUTURE: 
SUSTAINABLE 
PLANNING IN 
PRIVATE 
HIGHWAYS
OVERVIEW
The concept of a Private Highway Extension is rapidly evolving—and the Houbolt 
Road Extension is a shining example of how private-sector initiative can shape 
sustainable transport infrastructure. In this blog, we’ll explore how sustainable 
planning is being embedded in private highway extensions, using the Houbolt 
Road Extension project to showcase best practices, innovations, challenges, and 
opportunities.
THE CASE IN POINT: HOUBOLT ROAD 
EXTENSION
The Houbolt Road Extension is a privately financed, approximately 1.5-mile 
extension of Houbolt Road in Joliet, Illinois, including a new tolled bridge over the 
Des Plaines River. The project is delivered by the joint venture Houbolt Road 
Extension JV, LLC (HRE-JV), a partnership between United Bridge Partners and 
CenterPoint Properties.
WHY Minimizes environmental impact
SUSTAINABLE 
PLANNING 
Enhances social value and 
MATTERS IN safety
PRIVATE 
HIGHWAY Supports economic growth and 
EXTENSIONS viability
Builds resilience and 
adaptability for future needs
KEY SUSTAINABLE PLANNING FEATURES OF 
THE HOUBOLT ROAD EXTENSION
Integrated Freight Multi-Modal and Land-Use and Financing and Stakeholder 
and Passenger Active Mobility Environmental Maintenance via Collaboration and 
Planning Considerations Smartness Private Lease/Toll Regional Impact
Model
LESSONS FOR FUTURE PRIVATE 
HIGHWAY EXTENSIONS
• Start early with integrated planning to align environmental, mobility, and economic goals.
• Include multi-modal layers, even in freight-focused extensions, to enhance accessibility and 
safety.
• Use advanced financing and delivery models to balance efficiency with long-term public 
benefit.
• Set measurable sustainability outcomes, such as emission reductions or travel-time savings, to 
track progress.
• Minimize community disruption, turning potential impacts into improvements in local mobility 
and safety.
• Design for future resilience, considering climate change, increased freight demand, and 
emerging vehicle technologies.
CONCLUSION
The era of traditional, publicly funded highways is being redefined by the rise of 
the Private Highway Extension model, where private investment drives innovation 
and long-term sustainability. When executed thoughtfully—as exemplified by the 
Houbolt Road Extension—these projects create infrastructure that is efficient, 
eco-friendly, and community-focused.
CONTACT US 
THANK  815.974.6135 
[email protected] 
YOU 
www.houboltroadextension.com