Detroit River International Crossing

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The Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) is a multi-national construction project and committee between Canada and the United States to create a new border crossing over the Detroit River. The crossing, as proposed, will connect Detroit and Windsor by linking Highway 401 in Ontario with Interstate 75 and Interstate 94 in Michigan, providing uninterrupted traffic flow, as opposed to the current configuration with the nearby Ambassador Bridge, which connects to city streets on the Canadian side.[1] The project began in 2004, and received approvals in 2007 and 2008.[2]

The Michigan Senate has not approved any authorizing legislation related to DRIC. The Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop has stated that the Senate will not vote until revenue forecasts are released, reports that are being withheld by the director of the Michigan Department of Transportation. The Michigan House of Representatives has already passed the measure while the bill is called "doomed" in the Senate. [3]

With traffic crossing the border anticipated to grow from 18,500 vehicles a day in 2016 to 26,500 by 2025, the Detroit River International Crossing will provide an orderly flow of people and goods between the two countries.[4] Transport Canada retained the engineering firms, Morrison Hershfield, Davis Langdon, and Delcan to develop cost estimates for right of way and utility relocation; design and construction; and operation and maintenance on the Canadian side of the crossing.[5]

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation the completion date of the bridge is tentatively scheduled for 2016. It is also believed that the bridge will generate $70.4 million in toll revenues in its first year of operation.[4]

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has backed construction of the DRIC in his first State of the State address on January 19, 2011. His plan would leverage Canadian money to receive a 160% match on funding from the US Federal Highway Administration in a deal reached the week previous to the speech.[6]

In February 2011, various groups have proposed naming the bridge in honor of Gordie Howe. Canadian politicians have proposed that it be named for the man known as "Mr. Hockey", a native Canadian who played for the Detroit Red Wings.[7] Snyder has "not [been] crazy" about the DRIC name, and his administration is backing the Howe name for the bridge.[8] Such a name change is also proposed to help clear up confusion. The Ambassador Bridge is run by the Detroit International Bridge Company, which is abbreviated DIBC. The Howe name would also be fitting, backers say, because it would help bridge "Hockeytown" to Canada, where hockey is considered a national sport.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Detroit River International Crossing Study team (May 1, 2008). "Parkway Map" (PDF). URS Corporation. http://www.weparkway.ca/pdfs/Prelim_Parkway-Rendered_June09(608x2250)2.pdf. Retrieved February 25, 2010. 
  2. ^ Government of Canada (March 3, 2008). "Border transportation partnership reaches milestone". Transport Canada. http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2008/08-h063e.htm. Retrieved February 25, 2010. 
  3. ^ "Michigan senate leader says: No $#s on DRIC bridge, no vote". Toll Road News. June 10, 2010. http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4788. Retrieved July 1, 2010. 
  4. ^ a b "MDOT report: Detroit River International Crossing". Detroit: Booth Newspapers. June 17, 2010. http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/06/mdot_report_detroit_river_inte.html. Retrieved October 12, 2010. 
  5. ^ "Report to the Legislature of the State of Michigan" (PDF). Michigan Department of Transportation. http://www.partnershipborderstudy.com/pdf/4-29-10/2-2010-04-29.DRIC.Report.to.Legislature.with.Appendices.A.&.D.pdf. Retrieved October 12, 2010. 
  6. ^ Christoff, Chris (January 19, 2011). "Snyder Backs 2nd Bridge for First Time". Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/article/20110119/NEWS15/110119102/1318/Watch-live-Snyder-backs-2nd-bridge-for-the-first-time. Retrieved January 19, 2011. 
  7. ^ Kraniak, Dennis (February 4, 2011). "The Gordie Howe International Bridge". Detroit: WJBK-TV. http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/the-gordie-howe-international-bridge-. Retrieved February 5, 2011. 
  8. ^ a b Wattrick, Jeff (February 3, 2011). "Forget the DRIC, how about the Gordie Howe International Bridge?". Detroit: Booth Newspapers. http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/02/forget_the_dric_how_about_the.html. Retrieved February 5, 2011. 

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