Granholm says Canada offers $550M for new bridge

The river already is spanned by the Ambassador Bridge, whose owners oppose the plan backed by Granholm and the Canadian government. Dan Stamper, president of Detroit International Bridge Co., said Thursday the offer shows that the bridge plan is largely driven by Canadian interests.

The Associated Press

4/29/2010

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Thursday that Canada is prepared to cover up to $550 million of Michigan’s costs for a proposed international bridge across the Detroit River.

The elements that the Canadian government are offering to pay for wouldn’t be funded by the U.S. government or the public-private partnership seeking to build the bridge.

Granholm said the offer removes the financial risk for the state in the $5.3 billion project. Canada would expect repayments from anticipated toll revenues.

“This is obviously a significant offer from the Canadian government,” Granholm told a Michigan House committee.

Michigan lawmakers have until June 1 to enact legislation approving the state’s entry into the partnership. Supporters say the project could create 10,000 jobs.

The river already is spanned by the Ambassador Bridge, whose owners oppose the plan backed by Granholm and the Canadian government.

Dan Stamper, president of Detroit International Bridge Co., said Thursday the offer shows that the bridge plan is largely driven by Canadian interests.

“If Canada’s putting in the money up front, and wants to get it back in tolls later, you can bet that the employment is going to come from Canada to build this bridge,” Stamper said.

“There’s a lot of needs in Michigan today,” Stamper said. The Detroit River International Crossing “is not one of the urgent needs in Michigan today,” he said.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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