PLANNING

Minnesota

Metropolitan Council, the regional policy-making and planning agency for the Twin Cities region, achieved a milestone in the long planning process for the proposed $1.77-billion Southwest Light Rail Transit Line project. The Federal Transit Administration published the final environmental document on the project, acknowledging advances in the design-bid-build project design that will minimize environmental impacts during construction and ongoing operation of the 17-station rail line that will run 14.5 miles from downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie through the communities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka. The design team consists of architect Kimley-Horn, engineer AECOM and landscape architect Perkins+Will. Construction is slated to begin in 2017. Metropolitan Council, Auburn Dees, 390 Robert St. N., Saint Paul, 55101-1805. DR#11-00630021.

Minnesota

MnDOT is in final draft planning for a roadways master plan that ideally will direct $6 billion of design-bid-build paving and bridge work over the next decade. Further updates will be available before year’s end. Plan adoption is scheduled to occur in January 2017. Earlier this year, MnDOT said it is expecting, under the current funding formula, a shortfall by 2018 that would reduce ongoing state road and bridge funding by 45%. Minnesota Dept. of Transportation, 395 John Ireland Blvd., Saint Paul, 55155-1800. DR#15-00505688.

Indiana

Midwest Fertilizer Co. has moved to the design development stage for a $2-billion industrial project in Mount Vernon. The 226-acre site will house ammonia, urea synthesis, urea granulation, urea ammonium nitrate, diesel exhaust fuel and nitric acid plants. The general contractor role has been awarded to ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions USA, which will also serve as engineer. Construction start is pending finalization of funding; completion is projected for 2020. Midwest Fertilizer Co., 231 Main St., Mount Vernon, 47620-1839. DR #13-00482969.

Michigan

Ford Motor Co. is in master planning for a $1-billion headquarters campus overhaul in Dearborn. SmithGroupJJR has been appointed architect for the LEED intended project, which will include a new research and engineering center, design center and credit facility, as well as upgraded manufacturing facilities, a renovated head office and related grounds enhancements. Ford Motor Co., 1 American Rd., Dearborn, 48126-2701. DR#16-00499131.

CONTRACTS, BIDS, PROPOSALS

Ohio

Turner Construction Co., construction manager at-risk, is sub-bidding to prequalified firms by invitation only on the $213-million renovation of the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Repairs to the historic rail station will include extensive exterior restoration and preservation along with replacement of obsolete lighting and electrical systems and the restoration of the entry canopy, vestibule and rotunda. GNNB Architects Inc. is serving as designer on the project. Cincinnati Museum Center, Elizabeth Pierce, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, 45203-1130. DR#11-00511088.

Illinois

Gilbane Building Co., Chicago, has been selected as construction manager on the new $150-million Will County Courthouse to be built in Joliet. The 10-floor, 400,000-sq-ft facility will house 42 courtrooms. With Wight & Co. serving as architect, working drawings are underway for the design-bid-build project. Construction is planned for 2018. Will County, Rita Weiss, 302 N. Chicago St., Fl. 2, Joliet, 60432-4078. DR#15-00669106.