The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is hiring law firms and financial consultants to advise how to "design, build, finance, operate and maintain a fiber network" for state broadband Internet data and voice calls, and to deliver "a wire mesh overlay and market and lease excess network capacity" to private users along its 550-mile toll road system.



The system could run (for example) device apps based in commercial vehicles, or business and residential users near the Turnpike right-of-way. Maybe self-driving vehicles, too?



Pennsylvania is inspired by broadband projects in New Jersey, Illinois and Utah, Defebo said. The new system will replace an existing digital microwave network.



The work will be structured through a Public-Private Partnership (P3), a state-authorized arrangement that typically involves more expensive financing and fewer state controls and potential delays.



The commission issued a Request for Proposals from fianncial and law firms, posted to its Web site at www.paturnpike.com. The proposal deadline is Aug. 18, chief executive Mark Compton said in a statement.