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Michigan seeks bridge bidders, Stage set for private, public partnership

February 5, 2010

Michigan's Transportation Department is seeking bids from companies to build a new bridge across the Detroit River.

The state government last fall issued orders for the Detroit International Crossing team to provide a list of potential bidders for the project before May 1 as a condition of funding.

The deadline for bidders to respond is March 17.

The stage is being set to form a public-private partnership that will move the DRIC project forward, said Michigan's transportation director Kirk T. Steudle.

"At this point, we are considering a model that would incorporate some participation by the private sector in financing, design, construction, engineering and maintenance," Steudle said.

"Although we have not yet finalized what that model will eventually look like, we know there are a number of teams out there eagerly anticipating the start of work on this historic project that will create jobs and keep international trade flowing across the border as efficiently as possible."

In addition to the bridge, the project would include plazas and feeder roads on the Detroit side.

The new border crossing would connect Highway 401 in Windsor and I-75 in Detroit and would include the $1.6-billion Windsor-Essex Parkway. The bridge would link the downriver industrial communities of Brighton Beach and Delray.

"This is significant, besides getting ready for our legislative mandate, in that it's a wonderful opportunity to bring investment to Michigan," said Bill Shreck, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

"This will bring 25,000 jobs to the area. Just as important is this will keep the border crossing viable and all the jobs that would provide. This is the (busiest) crossing in North America."...

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