DRTP Press Release

Fascinating press release issued today by DRTP out of Detroit. Does this mean that they already know that they have been eliminated by the Bi-National and are setting up the basis for a lawsuit? Does the press release, polling, and full-page Star ad fit into a strategy? We'll soon find out I am sure

DRTP Questions Transparency of Detroit River International Crossing Study

DETROIT, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit River International Crossing ("DRIC") process seems to have become unhinged, according to executives of the Detroit River Tunnel Partnership. "It has become increasingly evident in recent weeks that political interests are dominating the DRIC study at the expense of objective, technical considerations," said Marge Byington, government affairs director for the Detroit River Tunnel Partnership team.

In one of its latest reports, the DRIC concludes a five- to ten-year window exists before the growth in border-crossing demand between Windsor and Detroit will cause major delays. "Our concern is that premature elimination of any alternative by the DRIC based on insufficient analysis will result in wrong decisions being made for this critical international crossing. Planners need to make sure all possible crossing options get sufficient analysis to make sure the best solution is selected. Any missteps at this point in the DRIC process will have negative effects on the economies and communities of Southeastern Michigan and Southwestern Ontario.

"While we concur with the binational study group that a ten-year window is a short time to plan, design and build a new or expanded crossing," Byington stated, "our partnership is seriously concerned that politicization of this phase of the technical review managed by the DRIC could significantly erode critical path timelines as legal battles arise from a flawed process. Equally troubling is the prospect of selecting a solution that cannot survive the scrutiny of a third-party review or the bright light of Environmental Impact Studies on both sides of the border. This misstep would harm the economies, health and vibrancy of our communities.

"We have participated in good faith for more than three years in various stages to engineer and describe how the partnership's existing rail corridor can be converted into an intermodal transportation gateway," continued Byington, "and now we are deeply disappointed to learn that political jockeying may carry more weight than engineering reports, feasibility studies, community input and common sense. What is even more troubling is the loss of transparency of the DRIC process." As has been shown many times in recent years on both sides of the border, the DRTP executive pointed out, environmentally related assessment and development processes and findings must be transparent and justifiable.