Detroit River International Crossing

Project Abstract

Trade between the United States and Canada in the year 2000 was $243 billion (U.S.). This is larger than the total U.S. trade with Japan. Over $1 billion in trade crosses the U.S –Canadian border each day. The majority of the border trade traffic (70 percent) is moved by truck. The long-term maintenance of this flow of trade is vital to the economic health of both countries.

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Transport Canada, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation conducted a Planning/Needs and Feasibility Study between 2000 and 2004 to identify if future capacity needs warranted an additional connection between the United States and Canada. The study showed a need for additional capacity within the next 20 years in southeast Michigan/southwest Ontario.

The DRIC study was formally initiated in 2004 with the purpose of addressing four specific needs:

Provide new border crossing capacity to meet increased long-term demand;
Improve system connectivity to enhance the seamless flow of people and goods;
Improve operations and processing capability;
Provide reasonable and secure crossing options in the event of incidents, maintenance, congestion, or other disruptions.

To address these four needs the DRIC study utilized the fundamental principles of CSS: Stakeholder Engagement, Flexibility, and Effective Decision Making.