DRIC Study to make Draft Environmental Impact Statement available for public review and comment

Contact: Bill Shreck 517-335-3084

Agency: Transportation

WHAT: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation for the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study. Public hearings will be conducted in Detroit in March to present a summary of the DEIS and provide an opportunity for all to hear comments and questions.

A review copy of the DEIS will be available at various locations in the metro Detroit area and Lansing. Comments must be e-mailed, faxed or postmarked on or before April 29, 2008. MDOT and Federal Highway Administration staff will respond to all comments received.

WHERE: Copies of the DEIS and supporting materials will be available for review at the following locations by Friday, Feb. 29:
MDOT Bureau of Transportation Planning, 425 W. Ottawa St., Lansing
MDOT Metro Region Office, 18101 W. Nine Mile Road, Southfield
MDOT Detroit Transportation Service Center, 1400 Howard St., Detroit
MDOT Taylor Transportation Service Center, 25185 Goddard, Taylor
Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Bowen Branch of the Detroit Public Library, 3648 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit
Library at Southwestern High School, 6921 W. Fort St., Detroit
Delray Recreation Center, 420 Leigh St., Detroit
Allen Park Library, 8100 Allen Road, Allen Park
Ecorse Library, 4184 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse
Melvindale Library, 18650 Allen Road, Melvindale
River Rouge Library, 221 Burke St., River Rouge Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort St., Detroit
Campbell Branch Library, 8733 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit
Neighborhood City Hall Central District, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Relea Neighborhood City Hall Northwestern District, 19180 Grand River Ave., Detroit
Neighborhood City Hall Northeastern District, 2328 E. Seven Mile Road, Detroit
Neighborhood City Hall Western District, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit
Neighborhood City Hall Eastern District, 7737 Kercheval St., Detroit
Neighborhood City Hall Southwestern District, 7744 W. Vernor St., Detroit

The DEIS can be viewed and commented on via on the Internet at: www.partnershipborderstudy.com/reports_us.asp.

SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS: For printed and electronic copies of the DEIS call 517- 373-9534. Every effort has been made to provide the DEIS and supporting materials in printed and electronic, reader-friendly formats. To request alternative formats, such as large print or audio tape, please call 517-373-9534.

BACKGROUND: The Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study is a bi-national effort to complete the environmental study processes for the United States, Michigan, Canada and Ontario governments related to a new crossing. The DRIC Study identifies solutions that support regional, state, provincial and national economies, while addressing the civil and national defense and homeland security needs of the busiest trade corridor in North America.

The DEIS examines the social, environmental and economic factors related to ten alternatives (nine "build" alternatives and one "no-build" alternative) that would include a new border crossing (bridge) over the Detroit River, new customs and border protection facilities on both sides of the border, and direct connections to the freeway network in both the United States and Canada.

Comments regarding the DEIS may be e-mailed, faxed or mailed to:

Robert Parsons
Public Hearings Officer
Michigan Department of Transportation
Bureau of Transportation Planning
P.O. Box 30050
Lansing, MI 48909
Fax: 517-373-9255
E-mail: parsonsb@michigan.gov 

Ice and Snow, Take It Slow Remember: Don't Crowd the Plow