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After about fifteen minutes on the ‘net (and taking time to make some tea and watch the snow fall), I found the following. Looks like the concept of privatizing public functions as a policy goes back to 1955, but I’ll let someone else to the legwork.

The Federal Government shall rely on commercially available sources to provide commercial products and services. In accordance with the provisions of this Circular and its Supplement, the Government shall not start or carry on any activity to provide a commercial product or service if the product or service can be procured more economically from a commercial source.
OMB Circular No. A-76, August 4, 1983 (revised 1999).

Note the date(s) of the Circular.

Snow! I just turned on my airconditioner again. Actually, I have no problem with what I have read so far regarding this circular. Yes, I noticed the dates but don't know when the Reagan policies were revised with Clinton's post NAFTA failure. However, under the heading Background#4 caught my eye.

In the process of governing, the Government should not compete with its citizens. The competitive enterprise system, characterized by individual freedom and initiative, is the primary source of national economic strength. In recognition of this principle, it has been(Reagan years) and continues to be the general policy of the Government to rely on commercial sources to supply the products and services the Government needs.

The definition of commercial source if found under definitions #d.

A commercial source is a business or other non-Federal activity located in the United States, its territories and possessions, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which provides a commercial product or service.

I have no problem with this so far as I haven't read it all. Cintra is not a business from the U.S. so therefore they are not entitled to taxpayer money. This circular spells this out.Banks such as Chase Manhattan, Bank of America and many more are commercial sources that should be used to finance the roads. Not the taxpayers if these are "for profit" roads.