MDOT has issued initiated the process of retaining right of way acquisition companies to implement condemnations for the new International Bridge project.
The history of the New International Trade Crossing, formerly known as the Detroit River International Crossing and colloquially referenced as the second Detroit/Windsor bridge, is lengthy and complicated. It has featured extensive opposition by the Maroun family and its entity that owns the existing Ambassador Bridge that would presumably see reduced traffic if a second bridge is built.
It appears that the threatened eminent domain proceedings are inching closer to reality. The Michigan Department of Transportation has issued a “Solicitation for Letters of Interest” from “Right Of Way companies who would be interested in bidding of a Request For Proposal for a Turnkey Right Of Way (ROW) acquisition project in southeast Detroit. This ROW project would consist of approximately 500 to 1,000 parcels including vacant land, residential, commercial and industrial parcels.”
The Solicitation for Letters of Interest does not expressly reference the New International Trade Crossing by name but a project of this scale involving up to 1,000 parcels could only mean one thing.
The process of initiating a condemnation can be long and ponderous, particularly to those to intimately familiar with the machinations of government. However, this post is an indicator that MDOT is gearing up for the project.
If you would like to see the Solicitation for Letters of Interest, please click here.