Michigan DOT hopes for P3 law this year to allow new Detroit River toll bridge to Canada

Michigan DOT say they expect to have a law in place for a P3 concession to build a new international toll bridge over the Detroit River before the end of the year. HB4961 is the bill. The Canadians already have the legal framework for a toll concession.

Michigan DOT envisage a "partnership" with Transport Canada, the national DOT with defined roles for other stakeholders such as FHWA, Ministry Transportation Ontario and border services agencies.

Michigan DOT and Transport Canada are already discussing a common set of design standards and a "governance structure" for the project.  The business model for the bridge is still to be determined.

These are the major points in answers to questions following the "Request for Proposal of Interest in development of the Detroit River International Crossing Project under one or more Pubic Private Partenerships" issued recently by Michigan DOT.

The proposed new bridge would be about 3km downstream of the Ambassador Bridge and would have direct connections to I-75 and to Highway 401 at each end. The Ambassador Bridge feeds into the signalized main street of Windsor on the Canadian side and the company has a longstanding feud with the city and the state preventing direct connections to the I-75.

copy of Q&A:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/sites/default/files/Q&A.pdf

No one asked the big question: will the bridge be specified in grownup modern metric measurements or in Ye Olde Foots, Inches, Pound, Yards and Gallon. The quaint olde measurements have a sentimental attachment for many south of the border at least among those who have never had to find the center point of 5ft 3 5/8 inches because they leave that to the tradesman.

TOLLROADSnews 2010-03-10