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Snapshot
Michigan Approves Bridge Project with Canuck Backing
After a flurry of last minute lobbying from people in support of and against the Detroit River International Crossing project (DRIC), the Michigan government has almost decided to move the project forward. The House has approved it but at press time the Senate had not given its approval, and a mighty battle was underway there.
Funding from the cash-strapped State was previously in doubt, but the Canadian government was eager enough to see the bi-national DRIC project move forward. It offered to put up Michigan's $550-million portion of the plan, which it would recoup through tolls.
Another hurdle, however, was Michigan's ability to enter into a public-private partnership to build a new public bridge connecting Windsor, Ont. and Detroit. It was one of the amendments in a bill voted on by Michigan's Democratic controlled House at the end of May.
The bill was narrowly passed, keeping the project alive, but it will have to pass one more hurdle and go through the Republican-led Senate. If approved there, the Michigan Department of Transportation would be free to enter into contracts to build the new bridge.
Of course there is still an ongoing obstacle in the form of the owner of the private Ambassador Bridge, Matty Moroun, who has been in vocal opposition of the proposed DRIC project and has promised to continue fighting DRIC in court. |
