Public Workshop Notice

TAKE NOTICE that the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC) will host a Public Workshop on Thursday, December 6th, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. at Earhart Middle School located at 1000 Scotten Street, Detroit, Michigan 48209. The workshop will be an open design charrette to solicit public input on alternative project designs and to address general project questions and concerns. The U.S. Coast Guard is serving as the lead federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process.

At the December 6 workshop, information will be provided and comments will be received on alternative designs within the Proposed Ambassador Bridge Enhancement Project. Comments will be received to provide public input as part of the Section 106 consultation process currently taking place in coordination with Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.

Project Background:
DIBC is proposing to construct a 6-lane cable stayed bridge over the Detroit River, just west of the existing Ambassador Bridge. The new bridge will connect directly into the existing plazas in both Detroit and Windsor. The new structure will be 102.5 feet wide and 6,200 feet long, with approximately 2,200 feet traversing the Detroit River. Supporting structures (piers and towers) will be not placed in the Detroit River or its floodplain. The bridge will be a minimum of 152 feet above the low water datum mark, to meet the minimum vertical navigational clearance requirements for deep draft vessels. No dredge or fill activities are proposed in the river with this project. Once the new structure is completed, the existing Ambassador Bridge will be taken out of service in order to evaluate and make repairs deemed necessary and economically feasible. The project is located in T2S, R11E, Section 4, City of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

Additional Information is available at the following locations :

DIBC – Detroit Office 2000 Howard Street Detroit, Michigan 48226 Tel: (313) 965-1184

DIBC – Warren Office 12225 Stephens Warren, Michigan 48089 Tel: (586) 939-7000

DIBC Website www.ambassadorbridge.com

» click here for a printable version of this announcment (pdf format)

 

United States Coast Guard Draft Environmental Assessment Release

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), as the lead federal agency for the proposed project, announces the availability of the United States Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction of an additional bridge span to be constructed to the west side of the existing bridge spans of the Ambassador Bridge, between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The USCG solicits comments as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The EA evaluates the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the Proposed Action. The USCG also solicits additional comments as part of the public involvement process under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

The Michigan State Historical Preservation Officer (SHPO) has determined, in a letter to the project applicant dated March 26, 2007, that the proposed project would result in an adverse effect to the existing Ambassador Bridge. The existing bridge structure is eligible for listing for the National Register of Historic Places, due to visual and other aesthetic impacts. The Coast Guard requests public comments on the proposed design of the planned bridge and potential impacts to the existing Ambassador Bridge.

The Draft EA is available for viewing or downloading on the Ambassador Bridge web site at:
www.ambassadorbridge.com/ambassador-project.html

Comments should be submitted in writing; must reach the Coast Guard by July 17th, 2007, and should be mailed to the following address:

Commander (dpb)
Ninth Coast Guard District
1240 E. 9th Street - Room 2025
Cleveland, Ohio 44199-2060