U.S. grants Michigan permit to build 2nd Detroit-Canada bridge
Posted by Amy Clickner on April 12, 2013
WASHINGTON – It’s official.
The U.S. State Department announced its issuance of a presidential permit to the state of Michigan for the New International Trade Crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, moving the project an important step closer to completion.
“This is all about jobs for today and tomorrow,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a news release. “This is a major construction project that is expected to create 12,000 direct jobs and as many as 31,000 indirect jobs. Getting Michigan-made products to more markets faster will enhance our economic competitiveness in the future and help our state create more jobs.”
Snyder is scheduled to hold a news conference in Detroit this afternoon officially announcing the issuance of the permit, which was applied for last summer by the state and the Canadian government. Canada has agreed to pick up the state’s $550-million share of the bridge.
• What’s next? Land acquisition needed for new Detroit-Canada bridge
• Name the bridge: What should the new Detroit-Canada bridge be called?
• Jobs: Bridge construction jobs will be split between U.S., Canada
The Free Press reported last night that the permit was to be granted, quoting sources. A media advisory from the State Department went out this morning – just after U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) publicly announced it in an email.
“Today’s progress on the New International Trade Crossing is a huge win for Southeast Michigan, and we can expect thousands of much needed new jobs now that construction can begin,” Peters said. “This crossing will transform greater Detroit into a global transportation hub.”
But legal fireworks are still expected: While the issuance of the permit is a huge move, Manuel (Matty) Moroun, who owns the 84-year-old Ambassador Bridge, is expected to continue his fight to block the rival NITC.
He has argued repeatedly that not only is the rival bridge unnecessary given traffic loads, it violates his exclusive franchise to operate an international bridge between Detroit and Windsor, granted by legislation passed in Congress and Parliament in 1921.
In a lawsuit, Moroun’s lawyers have said the State Department’s presidential permit process is unconstitutional and asked for an injunction to block the permit.
In the State Department’s release it said, the permit – which clears the way to construction – “contributes to ensuring that our border infrastructure supports increased competitiveness, job creation, and broad-based prosperity in the United States and Canada.”
“The NITC will help to meet future capacity requirements in a critical travel corridor, promote cross-border trade and commerce, and advance our vital bilateral relationship with Canada,” it said.
A news conference in Detroit with the governor and Canadian officials is set for later today
Lisa Raitt, Canada’s labour minister, put out a statement welcoming the issuance of the permit, saying it “represents an important step towards a new bridge which will be needed for growing trade and traffic at the busiest Canada-U.S. commercial border crossing with over 8,000 trucks crossing each day.”
“This project will create thousands of jobs and opportunities on both sides of the border both during the construction period and in the years to come,” she said.
“One-quarter of all U.S.-Canada trade, which is the world’s largest two-way trading relationship, crosses at Windsor-Detroit,” added Jeff Watson, member of Parliament for Essex. “The Detroit River International Crossing will make a vital contribution to our community, the auto industry, Canada’s economy and the well-being of both countries.”
According to a release by the Canadian government, the signing of the permit clears the way to the next steps including acquisition of properties in the U.S., relocation of utilities, land clearing and more detailed design. A private sector partner is expected to be hired to design, finance, build and operate the new bridge.
U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn), who has long been a supporter of a new span, called the permit “welcomed news,” saying it “brings us one substantial step closer to making what once was a dream into reality.”
“This bridge will be of an enormous help to the state of Michigan and the industries that call it home—including our valuable automotive sector,” Dingell said. He also urged the Coast Guard to “swiftly consider the state’s pending permit to allow this project to move forward.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the new span “will be much more than just a bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor. … (It) will be an economic engine for the entire region.”
