Detroit International Bridge Company Makes Progress On Plan To Finish Gateway Project

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tDETROIT — The Special Committee appointed to make all decisions regarding construction on the Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project has held several official meetings, including two with MDOT, and has engaged both an engineering firm and construction firms in a design/built contract.

tAt the Committee’s direction the engineers have submitted preliminary construction plans to MDOT and the Court Monitor, which relocates Pier 19, and realigns Piers 12 and 13, which allow the roads to be consistent with the court orders and MDOT requests.

tThe company has worked hard to accomplish everything expected of it by the Court. Meetings have been held bi-weekly with MDOT. The Court Monitor, an engineer, the engineers for both sides have acknowledged progress and areas of agreement as the work continues.

tThe engineering firm is American Consulting Engineers. One of the construction firms is CA Hull Company, Inc. and the other is Dan’s Excavating. All three have extensive experience in Michigan.

tThe special Gateway Project Committee members are Patrick Nowak, Ted Wahby, and Dan Stamper. Nowak served as director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) from 1991-1996 during the administration of former Governor John Engler.  Ted Wahby is the Treasurer of Macomb County and former chair of the Michigan State Transportation Commission, which is the policy making body for all state transportation programs.  Dan Stamper is the President of the Detroit International Bridge Company and a company director. The law requires one member of the Board to serve on the Committee.  Bridge owners M.J. Moroun and Matthew Moroun created the Committee with Dan Stamper and then stepped aside from all matters related to the Gateway Project.

t“The Committee is pleased with the efforts of our engineers. We have agreed to terms with our contractors and we are looking forward to building,” said Committee member Patrick Nowak. “We are committed to proving to the public and all concerned that we respect the legal system even if we disagree with the decisions made.  We are in the business of serving the public and that is what we want to do.”