Ambassador Bridge Asset Management Plan

The continued safe and efficient operation of the Ambassador Bridge is vital not only to its owner, but to the economies of two countries. It is the number one US-Canadian commercial crossing in terms of trade volume. To facilitate access to the bridge, the Michigan Department of Transportation, with the support of the Federal Highway Administration, led the development of the $220 million Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project. Along with its commitment to construct the facility, MDOT needed to make assurances that the largest single construction project they ever undertook would serve the iconic structure for the present and provide for its well-being in the future. To accomplish this, they required a thorough, formalized plan.

Modjeski and Masters developed the asset management plan with the entire life-cycle of the bridge in mind, basing it on current guidance issued by the FHWA. The plan incorporates findings and recommendations of bridge specific documents, such as annual inspection reports and load capacity ratings, many of which were developed previously by our staff. Specifications for planning, programming, engineering, construction, inspection, maintenance and operations were included in the strategy. It recognizes that continued and sometimes significant investment must be made with respect to a broad set of objectives. The plan met with widespread acceptance from the owner, MDOT and the FHWA. The immediate goal of constructing the Gateway Project was realized.