The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority on Dec. 12 tentatively approved the selection of RS and H of Michigan as the owner's representative consultant, subject to final contract review, and discussed budget implications for completing the contract.

Stephen Ward, the Authority’s project manager, told the board the Authority spent "just over a $100,000" in the last quarter and that the board currently has "a remaining appropriation at about 1,327,000 that's unencumbered" to apply toward the ORC contract. Ward said that amount "will not be enough to take that ORC contract all the way through to its completion" and described a plan to structure the ORC agreement so work can be task-ordered as additional funding becomes available. He said seeking additional legislative appropriations can take about 18 months.

Before the ORC selection vote, Authority member Ruth made a disclosure about a prior employment relationship with a subcontractor on the RS&H team. "I wanted to disclose that I am a former employee of Fishback, which is a subcontractor on the RS&H team that the staff is recommending," Ruth said, adding that she resigned effective Nov. 14, 2025. She said counsel advised there was no remaining conflict but that she would recuse "to avoid even the appearance of any impropriety," and she did not participate in the discussion or vote on RS&H.

Ward described the selection process: a six-person committee and two advisors reviewed proposals focusing on project managers, tunnel engineers, documentation staff, communications/public affairs, and a tribal liaison. The recommended team includes RS and H of Michigan with subcontractors and consultants listed by staff as ASC Group Incorporated; EPC Consultants Incorporated; Fishbeck Thompson Carr and Huber Incorporated; Ant Consultants Ltd; and Tanner Freedman Strategic Communications.

The board voted to give tentative approval for RS&H to proceed to contracting; the motion carried "2 to nothing" with Ruth recusing herself. Staff said the selection is subject to final contracting and that the contract will return to the board for final approval. Ward also said the Independent Quality Assurance contract is in final contracting stages and expected to be executed soon.

The board discussed next steps to secure additional funding to keep the ORC engaged through construction and to task-order work in line with available appropriations. The Authority asked staff to return with contracting documents and to continue coordinating communications with local communities and tribal partners as the project advances.