Michigan Seeks Private Partners For Bridge Project

Michigan has issued a request for “proposals of interest” from private investors to partner with the state and Canada in building the planned new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

“Preliminary feedback” indicates there is “extensive interest” among private sector investors in such a partnership, the state Department of Transportation said in its Jan. 27 announcement seeking proposals.

Since the bridge will be tolled, “there are several public-private partnership models ranging from real tolls to availability payments” that could be applied to the bridge project, MDOT said.

Proposals of interest must be submitted to MDOT by March 17. Canada is also seeking requests for proposals of interest.

The new bridge is opposed by billionaire developer and trucking executive Manuel “Matty” Moroun who owns the existing crossing between the two cities, the Ambassador Bridge.

By Michele Fuetsch
Staff Reporter