Canadian bridge politicking intensifies for Michigan senate vote on new Detroit River Crossing

Canada's federal transport minister John Baird visited Detroit Monday talking up the importance of building the new DRIC bridge downriver of the Ambassador as the date approaches for votes in the Michigan state legislature on enabling legislation. In what has become a partisan issue there seem to be the votes for the new publicly owned DRIC bridge in the Democrat majority state house but there may be difficulty getting a majority in the Republican controlled Michigan state senate.

Baird said in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club and at a press conference:"This bridge needs to be built, must be built and together we will build this bridge… Canada is ready to pull the trigger on this project and move ahead. We want Michigan to be ready, too. This bridge is the most important issue for North American trade."

Baird said that Canadian expectations are for a tripling of truck traffic and a doubling of car traffic at the border in the next 30 years. He called those pointing to stagnation of traffic in the past decade  and doubting the need for the new bridge "naysayers" and "merchants of gloom."

"We know there is a necessity to build this bridge — now we have the plan in place to make it work. You can't just hope for the best — we have to take charge of our economic future. This is a 10 times more important project in our country than the second most important project."

Late April the Canadian Government offered to loan the state of Michigan the $550m it needs for the I-75 interchange, the toll and inspection plaza and bridge approaches. There was a concern the project would falter because the state of Michigan's budgetary situation is so grim it would be unable borrow the money on its own account.

“In Canada, we have the public and political commitment to make (the DRIC bridge) happen. On the Canadian side of the border everything is perfectly aligned to make this happen, We don’t shy away from big challenges. I know the United States shares this commitment… We’re fully ready and the message I’m sending today is we need you to be fully ready too.”

Construction of the new bridge will create about 30,000 jobs in Detroit and Windsor, he claimed.

"It will support Michigan’s economy. It will expand trade for years to come.”

Baird said national security is also a consideration: “building a new bridge is vital for national security reasons. The attempted (December 2009) terrorist attack on the flight headed to Detroit – and the recent Times Square incident – were a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant against terrorist attacks."

He suggested any terrorist attack at the Ambassador Bridge would jeopardize both spans - the existing and the planned new span alongside.  The DRIC bridge would be 2km (1.2 miles) downstream.

In a statement Baird said: “To show our support for the project, I recently announced a funding commitment from the Government of Canada of up to a maximum of US$550 million to help jumpstart projects on the Michigan side of the border, such as an interchange and a toll plaza. This is in addition to the funding we have committed for projects on the Ontario side of the border, which are now progressing.

“This is the only crossing proposal to have consulted as widely as it has and it is the only proposal to have environmental approvals from both countries.

“I am confident that the Michigan Legislature will make the right choice and that together, we will get the job done. Together, let’s continue to build upon the strongest trading relationship in the world. Let’s continue to build jobs, grow trade and attract new investment. Let’s continue to build for the future.”

Countermove by Ambassador Bridge Company

In a countermove the Ambassador Bridge company released a letter to state legislators opposing the DRIC and making their pitch for a new 6-lane span they propose alongside the old.

Their letter on stationery that looks like it was printed in the late 1920s said: "No matter how the proposed DRIUC is spun Michigan taxpayers are left with a huge financial liability."

It referred to the recent responses to request for expressions of interest by Michigan DOT. Most responses said the project could not be toll financed. They suggested 'availability payments' in which the state would take on traffic and revenue risk and pay private partners a contractually agreed annual payment.

Also contained in the Ambassador Bridge company materials is a formal company resolution comprising 16 WHEREAS-beginning sentences followed by "NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED"

- that the company would complete its "Enhancement Project" at no cost or liability to the state of Michigan,

- that it remains fully committed to the Gateway project and

- that it asks the state of Michigan to "remove the artificial red tape" (lack of permits) obstructing the parallel Ambassador span on both sides of the river border.

see Ambassador Bridge company letter to legislators and resolution:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/sites/default/files/DIBC20100517.pdf