Canada and Michigan Near Deal to Build Second Bridge at Windsor and Detroit
A deal to build a second bridge linking Windsor and Detroit will be announced this week, sparking hope that the chronic congestion at Canada’s busiest border crossing will soon be relieved.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to join with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Friday on the Windsor waterfront for the official announcement, a source told the Toronto Star Tuesday.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s office as well as Transport Minister Denis Lebel’s office said Tuesday there was “nothing to report” on the issue.
But other officials confirm that a formal announcement is “imminent” that Canada and Michigan have clinched a deal to construct a second bridge spanning the Detroit River to relieve pressure on the crowded Ambassador Bridge.
The news was quickly welcomed by business leaders, whose companies depend on speedy passage of goods across the border.
“It’s about time, quite frankly,” said Mathew Wilson, vice-president of policy for the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
“It’s a critically important link … and there are no options,” Wilson said, noting that other crossings are some distance away.
He heard that news of the deal will be announced “very soon” but cautioned that good news has been announced before and little progress made.