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AMBASSADOR BRIDGE JOINS ...

AMBASSADOR BRIDGE JOINS NORTH AMERICA'S SUPERHIGHWAY COALITION
AS FIRST PRIVATE SECTOR MEMBER

DETROIT, FEBRUARY 7, 1997-The future of commerce under NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, is not Just tied to a concrete ribbon of roads, truck highway checkpoints or border crossings. This free flow of goods and services will depend on many factors, from the technical-such as the latest in the electronic transfer of information and automated verification systems-to the creative, in securing unprecedented international and public-private sector cooperation.

The stakes for Michigan and Ontario are high. Currently, Canada is the #1 trading partner of the United States. By 2010, Mexico is projected to surpass Japan currently the #2 trading partner behind Canada, as a result of NAFTA, according to the Committee Interim Report of the Texas Senate Committee on International Relations, Trade and Technology.

In support of NAFTA and this expanding trade, the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest international border crossing in North America, has become the first private sector entity to join North America's Superhighway Coalition (NASCo). The announcement was made by Dan Stamper, President of the Ambassador Bridge.

"We are privileged to be joining this coalition, which is designed to maximize the economic potential of NAFTA by creating an expedited surface transportation corridor from Mexico through the United States to Canada," Stamper said. "Each year, more than a fourth of all merchandise trade between the U.S. and Canada passes over the Ambassador Bridge. Completing the transportation link with Mexico will have a tremendous impact on the future of Michigan and Ontario."

Building on Existing Programs

As the first private sector entity in NASCo, the Ambassador Bridge joins a membership that includes the counties in Texas traversed by 1-35; the states of Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri; and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. The Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC), which owns the American side of the Ambassador Bridge, and the Canadian Transit Company (CTC), which owns the Canadian side, will hold independent NASCo memberships. CTC becomes the first Canadian member to Join the coalition.

"The Ambassador Bridge Delegation already has played a strong leadership role in support of the Superhighway vision, teaching us about the capabilities of the Michigan/Ontario region. Dan Stamper is one of the nation's most knowledgeable experts on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)," said Denton County (Texas) Judge Jeff Moseley, chairman of NASCo. "The interstate highway linking Detroit to Chicago and 1-35 is one of the most important transportation corridors in the United States; it should receive special opportunities in moving goods to market," Moseley said.

The Ambassador Bridge is already "moving swiftly" with its contribution to the Superhighway concept on both the U.S. and Canadian sides, Stamper added. Recently announced infrastructure investments include:

The Ambassador Bridge's leadership role as one of two northern border pilot sites for the North American Trade Automation Prototype (NATAP), for nonstop trucking. This will lead to an electronic tracking system throughout the NAFTA trade territory;

Roads and service ramps in the vicinity of the Bridge are being upgraded, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the City of Detroit;

Complete repainting of the Bridge, a five to seven year project, is well under way;

Engineering studies for redecking of the Bridge are complete, and redecking will begin in the near future;

An official memorandum of understanding has been signed for construction of an all-new Travel Information Center. This Joint public/private initiative includes the DIBC, MDOT and the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation. This modern facility will serve as the official greeting center for all those entering the United States from Canada;

The "Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project," a study to provide direct connections from the Ambassador Bridge to the freeway system and to provide new opportunities for commerce in local Detroit neighborhoods, is nearing completion. This landmark study, which includes MDOT, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), the City of Detroit, Federal Highways and the Ambassador Bridge, is intended to provide long-term solutions to the access needs of the Bridge on the American side;

The Ambassador Bridge is a founding member of the 1-94 International Trade Alliance;

On the Canadian side, customers are welcomed by a completely redesigned, rebuilt and modern plaza. The spacious, contemporary plaza design employs the latest technology to provide efficient flow for vehicles and commerce;

Plans for expanding the Canadian plaza by 50 percent are well under way through property acquisition and engineering work; and

The new Ambassador Duty Free Store, a joint initiative between the Canadian Transit Company and the University of Windsor, provides much-needed jobs for the community, and goods and services for travelers.

"We are dedicated to providing the necessary resources for these efforts so as to ensure that Detroit/Windsor and the Ambassador Bridge becomes the key link of the NAFTA Superhighway system," said Remo Mancini, Corporate Vice President of the Canadian Transit Company. "We are working to build one of the world's most modern and efficient border crossings. Our efforts will greatly increase industry and commerce, attract tourists to our region and provide greater service for our commuters," Mancini added.

NASCo chairman Moseley continued: "We have always been impressed with the Ambassador Bridge's strong leadership team. Dan Stamper and Remo Mancini have been instrumental in our coalition's meetings with officials from Wayne County, the City of Detroit, Essex County and the City of Windsor. The Ambassador Bridge's membership formally links the busiest international crossing between Canada and the United States with the busiest international border crossing between the U.S. and Mexico."

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