The Michigan Department of Transportation and the Bay City Commissioners held a meeting with commissioners and citizens to vote for negotiations to commence with a contractor to improve or replace and operate Liberty and Independence drawbridges.

The United Bridge Partners are already working on a development agreement with the city manager. The development agreement will be put up for final votes.

United Bridges Partners proposed to authorities to provide US$ 5 million acquisition and development fee for the two bridges. The Liberty Bridge will undergo renovation and rehabilitation, while Independence Bridge will be replaced.

The United Bridges Partners will charge a toll rate of US$ 0.50 per crossing for Bay City residents for both bridges and does not state how much non-resident tolls would cost. A US$ 15 a transponder that includes unlimited crossings is also proposed. Tolls would be eliminated for people who are below the poverty guidelines.

The citizens of Bay city is concerned with the higher toll rate, quality, and reliability of works done by United Bridges Partners. It should be noted that in the past UBPs was the contractor of bridge failures occurred in Florida and Virginia.

The resolution to instruct City Manager to begin negotiations with United Bridge Partners was approved with votes 8-1. The city manager will start the negotiations process with United Bridge Partners to draft the development agreement. The final agreement will have to be brought in front of the commission and voted upon before becoming official.