The invitation follows a series of informal interviews that MDOT and Transport Canada, in cooperation with the USA's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, conducted with major developers, contractors and lenders who had previously been involved in similar large privately-financed transportation infrastructure projects.

The deadline for responses is 17 March.

The plan is to form a public-private partnership that will move the DRIC project forward.

A record of decision for the DRIC was issued in January 2009, providing environmental clearance for right of way acquisition and construction planning for the proposed new bridge.

The project includes a new bridge over the Detroit River as well as an I-75 interchange and US and Canadian inspection plazas.