A major step in the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority has now issued a Request for Proposals inviting companies to submit formal proposals to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the crossing.
The RFP stage is expected to take 18 months as the plans are reviewed and evaluated.
Three companies are on a short-list; Bridging North America, CanAm Gateway Partners and Legacy Link Partners, which were pre-qualified.
The RFP is a 4,000 page document and Bridge Authority President Michael Cautillo calls it "the most important document the WDBA will ever issued."
"The minister has indicated and I have said in the past, it will be a four-year construction project, 18 month open period and probably 2022, early 2022 in that time frame," says Interim Vice Chair Dwight Duncan.
"It will serve as the spark plug for economic growth in the region so yes, as long as it is beautiful and functional, I will be very happy," says Cautillo.
He says it will be up to the proponents to decide the design of the bridge, either a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed bridge.
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority Vice Chair Dwight Duncan and authority President Michael Cautillo speak to the media about the RFP process which was issued November 10, 2016
The bridge authority also announed that it will host business-to-business meetings in Windsor and Detroit.
The first meeting will be held in Windsor on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, from 4pm to 8pm at St. Clair Centre for the Arts.
The second meeting will be held in Detroit on Thursday, December 1, 2016, from 9am to 1pm at Cobo Center.