On the latest episode of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Jeff talks with Ryan Mitchell, manager of MDOT’s Innovative Contracting Unit.

Topics include:

Ryan’s work on financing for the much-needed additional lock at the Soo Locks, operated and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. This is the district’s largest project, located on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., on the international border with Canada. Approximately 80 million tons of commercial commodities pass through the Soo Locks annually.

https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Soo-Locks-Visitor-Center/Soo-Locks-History/

— MDOT’s first successful public-private partnership (P3), helping to restore freeway lights in Metro Detroit.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151--433009--,00.html

— The modernization of I-75 in Oakland County, north of Detroit, and the use of a P3 for a key segment.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170924/news/640086/i-75-will-be-states-largest-public-private-transportation-project