1. Why is this project so important?
2. What are the objectives of this project?
3. What will it do for neighborhoods near the bridge, especially Mexicantown?
4. The Ambassador Bridge is a very important border crossing; will it remain open during construction?
5. Will I be able to reach businesses and restaurants in Mexicantown and Southwest Detroit during construction?
6. What about the new Detroit Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado? Will I be able to get there during construction?
7. Will I-75 or I-96 be closed during construction?
8. How long will I-75 be closed?
9. Can't this project move ahead without closing I-75?
10. Will MDOT publish a list of alternate routes for I-75?
11. When will the project be completed?
12. Will the project create jobs?
13. What is the purpose of MDOT's DBE office located in the Welcome Center?
14. What is MDOT's responsibility to businesses that may be directly impacted by the freeway closure? What remedial measures is MDOT taking to assist these businesses?
15. How will the closure of the freeway impact Downriver, Western Wayne County, Oakland County and communities north of Detroit? How will these communities benefit once the project is completed?

1. Why is this project so important?

Answer: The Ambassador Bridge, along with the I-94 and I-75/I-96 freeways, is part of a vital North American trade route. Thousands of vehicles travel these routes each day and approximately 11 million vehicles cross the bridge each year. Maintaining these routes, improving access and providing for future traffic expansion are key to regional growth and economic prosperity.

2. What are the objectives of this project?

Answer: The objectives of the Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project are:

• To provide direct access between the Ambassador Bridge and Michigan's freeway system
• To provide access to the new Detroit Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado
• To accommodate future traffic demands on ramps to and from the freeway and the Ambassador Bridge
• To reconstruct sections of the I-75 and I-96 freeways
• To increase safety by removing trucks and traffic congestion from city streets near the bridge

3. What will it do for neighborhoods near the bridge, especially Mexicantown?

Answer:Trucks entering or leaving the Ambassador Bridge Plaza will no longer use city streets. Freeway improvements will provide access to the new Detroit Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado; while the new Bagley Street pedestrian bridge will connect East and West Mexicantown. New landscaping and lighting will make the area visually appealing for both residents and visitors.

4. The Ambassador Bridge is a very important border crossing; will it remain open during construction?

Answer: Yes.

5. Will I be able to reach businesses and restaurants in Mexicantown and Southwest Detroit during construction?

Answer: Yes, access to local streets will be maintained throughout the project.

6. What about the new Detroit Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado? Will I be able to get there during construction?

Answer: Yes.

7. Will I-75 or I-96 be closed during construction?

Answer: A section of I-75 between Clark Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard will be closed to through traffic during construction. However, access to and from the Ambassador Bridge and to the community will be maintained throughout the project. A section of I-96 from the Ambassador Bridge to Warren Avenue will be closed to through traffic for about 90 days in the summer of 2008. Again, access to the Bridge and the community will remain open.

8. How long will I-75 be closed?

Answer: I-75 is expected to reopen to through traffic by December 2009.

9. Can't this project move ahead without closing I-75?

Answer: MDOT engineers looked at every conceivable way to keep the freeway open while the work is underway. With limited space on the freeway, the only way to allow traffic through the work zone was to keep just one lane open in each direction. This would create severe gridlock, and render the freeway essentially unusable. More importantly, it would extend the project schedule from 24 months to 48 months. With a full closure, the contractors will be able to expedite the work.

10. Will MDOT publish a list of alternate routes for I-75?

Answer: Yes, MDOT will give the public advance notice of all closures, provide signed detours and suggest alternative routes. Maps with this information will be posted on the Gateway Web site (www.michigan.gov/gateway) and distributed at many locations. As always, MDOT will work with local media to get the word out.

11. When will the project be completed?

Answer: Our goal is to complete the final phase of the project by December 2009.

12. Will the project create jobs?

Answer: Yes, MDOT's Gateway Project will create jobs. Of equal importance, the project will help retain construction jobs in Michigan that would otherwise go to other states.

13. What is the purpose of MDOT's DBE office located in the Welcome Center?

Answer: This new office located in the new Detroit Mexicantown International Welcome Center will further enhance MDOT's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) outreach efforts. Currently, the MDOT DBE Office provides information to DBE firms who are looking for work on MDOT projects. DBE firms are able to contract directly with MDOT for work or can subcontract to larger firms who are pursuing larger MDOT contracts. The DBE Office also provides information on becoming a certified DBE firm and DBE personnel are available to answer questions and provide assistance with submitting DBE certification paperwork. MDOT encourages DBE participation in all upcoming projects.

The Gateway Project has allowed MDOT to greatly increase opportunities to DBE firms. Project aspects such as lighting and landscaping were made into separate contracts to encourage DBE bid submissions. By lowering the total amount of a contract cost, a greater number of firms are eligible to contract with MDOT. Also, MDOT encouraged larger contractors to seek out DBE firms to perform specific construction activities during the current phase of the project.

The DBE Office in the Welcome Center will help DBE personnel to be more accessible to the public; small business owners who want more information on MDOT's DBE opportunities are encouraged to contact the office.

14. What is MDOT's responsibility to businesses that may be directly impacted by the freeway closure? What remedial measures is MDOT taking to assist these businesses?

Answer: Maintaining maximum mobility, accessibility and safety is always part of MDOT's strategic construction planning. This includes maintaining access to public buildings like schools and municipal offices as well as to community-based businesses and entertainment. In addition, a major focal point of our communications strategy is to promote "open" for business while projects are under construction.

15. How will the closure of the freeway impact Downriver, Western Wayne County, Oakland County and communities north of Detroit? How will these communities benefit once the project is completed?

Answer: Traffic from surrounding communities looking to travel through the project area will be redirected onto MDOT-posted detour routes around the area of the closure. Motorists and commercial vehicles that need to access the local community and/or the Ambassador Bridge will continue along I-75 and reach their destination through temporary lanes and ramps that are part of MDOT's strategy to maintain area access. Through traffic has been detoured around the project, therefore additional delays at the border crossing are expected to be minimal.

Once the project is complete, surrounding communities will benefit from the direct link between the border crossing and the freeway system. This link is vital to sustaining Detroit's international trade activity. Without improving commercial flow through the crossing, southeast Michigan would experience an economic decline as commercial activity shifts to other routes.