1/4/08-SB116 remained in committee when the 2007 session closed. It can be brought back for consideration during the session that begins Jan. 9.

6/21/07-A bill in the Senate Transportation Committee is intended to put transportation projects in the state on the fast track to completion.
Sponsored by Sen. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, SB116 would require that all "federal aid" road and bridge work and any other project of the Michigan Department of Transportation exceeding $5 million to use the so-called "design-build" concept.
The contracting process allows contractors to submit plans to design and construct each project. Typically, one firm designs a highway and another builds it, with the two tasks bid separately.
Michigan law allows the state to study design-build and report to the legislature findings, but the state Transportation Department isn't allowed to use the contracting process.
For Senate bill status, call (517) 373-2400.