Companies want role in rest stops, bridge projects

LANSING (AP) -- Michigan has received responses from 31 companies looking to form public-private partnerships involving rest stops, bridge projects and other work. The state Department of Transportation last month put feelers out on two rest areas proposed for improvements along U.S. 127 in northern Michigan. Most of the five respondents are looking for advertising and sponsorship opportunities at the rest stops. Other businesses are interested in food service or in operating and maintaining the rest areas themselves. State officials said Wednesday they also received a dozen letters of interest for bridge work, a dozen others for freeway lighting projects and two for logging. The state will evaluate the responses and next determine the viability of developing requests for proposals. The state isn't planning to sell assets but instead strike long-term deals. Published: Fri, Aug 30, 2013