The Ambassador Bridge/ Gateway Project Connecting Neighbors & Driving the Economy 2008 Ohio Conference on Freight Given by the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, National Association of Regional Councils, and Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority September 16, 2008 1
Purpose of the Presentation Planning & Design 2
Connecting Neighbors Project Video 3
Unique to Ambassador Gateway 4 Closure of two major freeways (I-75/I-96) Connections to nation s busiest border crossing Michigan s first cable-stayed bridge Michigan s first HOV lanes MOTSIM (Maintenance of Traffic Simulation) Largest single contract letting ($170M) Effectively the first Public-PrivatePartnership (P3) in Michigan (MDOT/DIBC)
Connecting Neighborhoods Connecting Economies Major economic development project Will benefit local community and energize the region s industrial base Represents $230 Million in local investment 23% of all surface trade between U.S. and Canada $75 Billion (US) in trade per year (2001) #1 US-Canada commercial crossing Vehicles that cross the Bridge (2-way): 11 million total vehicles/year 30% comm. vehicles (10,000 trucks/day) 5
Economic Reach of the Ambassador Crossing 6
Why is this project necessary? 7 Remove traffic congestion/trucks on adjacent City streets Direct connection to freeway system Reconstruction of I-96/I-75 mainline freeways Access to proposed Welcome Center Accommodate future traffic demand on ramps to and from the freeway and the Ambassador Bridge Plaza
Ambassador Bridge Project Limits MDOT DIBC 8
Existing Project Area 9
Completed Project Area 10
Early Beginnings 11 Study phase started internally in 1994, planning consultant brought on board in 1995 Steering Committee included: City of Detroit Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC) U. S. Customs/General Services Administration (GSA) Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) MDOT FHWA
Project Objectives Improves direct access to Michigan s Trunk line System Provides access to new Detroit Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado 12 Accommodates future traffic demand on ramps to and from the freeway and the Ambassador Bridge Plaza
Early Results / Milestones Study & Design 13 1996 MDOT/DIBC/MCDC sign Memorandum s of Understanding for Gateway and Welcome Center 1997 - Environmental clearance, FHWA approval and FONSI 1998 - Included as line-item in Federal TEA-21 Legislation 1999 - Concept revised. Public participation process, re-evaluation and approval by FHWA
Design Phase Initiated / Milestones Study & Design 14 2000 - Design consultant selected 2001 - Project split into independant construction phases 2002 MDOT/MCDC sign Memorandum of Understanding for International Welcome Center and Mercado
Refining the Project Footprint Project further refined to address: Right-of-way issues Study & Design Security issues after 9/11/2001 15 Resulted in 2003 revised concept Environmental re-evaluation and approval in January 2004
Project Packaging Study & Design 16
Refining the Project Footprint Study & Design 17 MDOT/DIBC implementation agreement April 2004 MDOT/City of Detroit Development agreement October 2004 Environmental re-evaluated again April 2007 I-96 portion; Joy, Maplewood, Cass bridges February 2008 two year transit upgrades & enhancements
Refining the Project Footprint Study & Design 18
City & Community Coordination Early Public Involvement Meetings 1995-1996 Study & Design Public Hearing January 1997 Public Meeting August 2003 Detroit City Planning Commission 2004, 2006, 2007 19 Detroit City Council 2003, 2004, 2006 On-going Project Steering Committee & Community Meetings
Completed Bagley Pedestrian Bridge Study & Design 20
Landscape Plan Study & Design 21
Project Schedule Advertised for : Letting: June 8, 2007 Start : Early July 2007 Open to Traffic: Dec 1, 2009 Complete : May 2010 Study & Design 22 April 25, 2007
Ambassador Gateway Major Items Reconstruction of 1.5 miles of I-75 Reconstruction of 1 mile of I-96 Study & Design Rehabilitation of M-85 from Rosa Parks to Clark /reconstruction of 19 ramps and new SB Service Drive /rehabilitation of 27 bridges and 3 miles of retaining walls of cable-stayed pedestrian bridge Relocation of large PLD and DWSD facilities Landscaping 18,000 plantings 23
Contract 4 Major Items Study & Design Item Project Total Pavement Removal 439,000 Syd Excavation 630,000 Cyd EPS Block 39,000 Cyd Fill 183,000 Cyd Paper Insulated Lead Covered Cable (24kV for PLD) 100,000 Ft (19 Miles) Sewer 47,000 Ft Concrete Barrier 42,000 Ft Concrete Pavement 314,000 Syd Concrete Curb and Gutter 114,000 Ft Reinforcing Steel 7.5 million Lbs Steel Piling 334,000 Ft (63 Miles) Steel Sheet Piling 127,000 Sft Structural Steel 9.0 million Lbs Substructure Concrete 40,000 Cyd Superstructure Concrete 10,000 Cyd Slope Restoration 38 Acres Total Concrete 165,000 Cyd 24
To Close or Not to Close? Staging & Mobility Side-by-side look at the two alternatives Schedule Cost Impact Border Crossing Impact Closure 22 months $170 million Part-Width 46 months $250 million Allows full access to local community Limited access to community from freeway Accelerated schedule due to larger work zone Intermittent closures on freeway and local streets for bridge demolition Separation from traffic increases safety for workers and motorists Nearly all bridge traffic maintained on freeway Local streets only used for exiting truck traffic; special detour routes keep the trucks out of the community Very limited access to border from freeway Local street use required for all bridge traffic FULL CLOSURE CHOSEN 25
Challenges with Full Closure Staging & Mobility 26 Maintaining Traffic throughout region Maintain access to Ambassador Bridge (minimize impacts to commerce) Maintain access to local neighborhoods User Delay Costs Closing major commuter routes (I-75 and I96) $1.9 Million per day (Mon-Fri) $1.6 Million per day (Sat-Sun)
Staging Stage 1 July 07 February 08 Staging & Mobility 27
Staging Stage 2 March 08 January 09 Staging & Mobility 28
Staging Stage 3A February 09 July 09 Staging & Mobility 29
Staging Stage 3B August 09 December 09 Staging & Mobility 30
Detour Routes Staging & Mobility 31
MOTSIM Staging & Mobility Modeling packages reviewed - Paramics chosen based on need to model arterials AND freeways MOTSIM #1 Modeled Gateway Closure, without mitigations, from 6am to 9am 32 MOTSIM #2 Modeled Gateway Closure with other I-75 work in expanded network, including mitigations, from 6am to 9am.
MOTSIM MOTSIM #1 Gateway Closure No Mitigations 6:00 AM 9:00 AM Staging & Mobility 33
MOTSIM MOTSIM #2 Gateway Closure PLUS other I-75 projects Staging & Mobility Enlarged Network Additional Mitigations Included 6:00 AM 9:00 AM 34
Congestion Mitigations Adjusted MOT plans to improve overall system flow Staging & Mobility Closure of M-10/ I-94 ramps Modified detours Alternate Routes 35 Implementation of Real-Time Traffic Signs
Congestion Mitigations Crash Investigation Sites (six) Enhanced I-94 Courtesy Patrol Staging & Mobility Gateway Transit Enhanced Transit, New Park & Ride lots for Express Bus Route & HOV Lanes on US-12 36
Incentive/Disincentive I-75 Portion The I-75 Portion shall be defined as the following: Staging & Mobility 37 NB and SB I-75 mainline from south of Clark St to Rosa Parks Blvd EB and WB I-96 mainline from the I75/I-96 interchange, south. All ramp connections between the Ambassador Bridge and I-75 and I-96 All ramp connections between West and East Service Drive and I-75 from south of Clark St to Rosa Parks Blvd All ramp connections from NB and SB I-75 to Vernor Highway.
Incentive/Disincentive I-96 Portion The I-96 Portion shall be defined as the following: Staging & Mobility 38 EB and WB I-96 from Warren to the I-75 interchange South CD Road (including S27 of 82194) North CD Road SB I-75 to WB I-96 ramp CD to SB I-75 ramp (including S22 of 82194) Cass Ave over I-75 (S23 of 82195) Joy Rd over I-96 (S33 of 82123) Maplewood Ave over I-96 (S34 of 82123)
Incentive/Disincentives Staging & Mobility I-75 Portion Start Date: 07/05/07 Accepted for Traffic: 12/01/09 Completion Date: 05/01/10 Incentive: $50,000/calendar day, up to $2,000,000 Disincentive: $50,000/calendar day I-96 Portion Start Date: 07/07/08 Accepted for Traffic: 10/07/08 Completion Date: 11/14/08 Incentive: $25,000/calendar day, up to $1,000,000 Disincentive: $25,000/calendar day Accepted for Traffic Incentives I-75 Portion Only By 03/30/09: $3,750,000 By 01/09/09: $1,250,000 Total Potential Incentive: $8,000,00 39
Core groups impacted by construction Border Traffic Business Owners Daily Commuters 40 Transit
Stakeholder Communications 41 Over 100 one-on-one stakeholder meetings General Motors, Ford, and Daimler-Chrysler Trucking and freight companies Delivery companies Hospitals and medical centers Commuters and vanpools Community groups and residents
Media Coverage Press Conferences I-75 closure on February 6, 2008 Detour route modifications on February 21, 2008 I-96 closure on June 17, 2008 Media packets prepared with detour maps, directions, and project information to encourage media coverage WWJ Newsradio providing continual updates to commuters during traffic broadcasts Partnerships Website www.michigan.gov/gateway 42
Brochures - Commuters 43
Brochures Truck Drivers 44
Project Website 45
Media/Message Results 46 Access to and from the Ambassador Bridge and community will be maintained at all times Local businesses are accessible throughout the closure Over 3,500,000 people reached with the project news
Public Meetings Objectives Inform public about the project s progress Answer questions and listen to concerns of residents 47 Discuss detour routes, any adjustments, and upcoming milestones Address community issues
Project Kiosks Made available to disseminate additional project information Located in the community and around the project area 48
Freeway and Ramps Design Aspects Efforts 49
Pedestrian Bridge Design Aspects Efforts 50
Retaining Walls Design Aspects Efforts 51
Bridge Piers Design Aspects Efforts 52
Be collaborative Lessons Learned 53 Be flexible First Public/Private Partnership (P3) in Michigan Stakeholder coordination Project Packaging DBE Contracts Add-ons/reassessment 9/11 Identify critical path schedule Utility coordination
Lessons Learned 54 Coordinate with events Super Bowl All-Star Game Final Four Coordinate with projects Other freeway construction Other planning studies (DRIC and DIFT)
Use latest technology and tools Lessons Learned 55 Communicate continuously MOTSIM Websites Steering Committee Public Information Maintain the project vision
Open in 2009 Conclusion 56
Questions & Answers For more real-time traffic information, see www.michigan.gov/drive For project information and updates see www.michigan.gov/gateway 57