Feds Say Bridge Treated Fairly

(The Windsor Star – Dave Battagello)

The Canadian government has assured Michigan lawmakers that Canada is committed to building another border crossing as quickly as possible, despite a bid by the Ambassador Bridge to derail the process.

Michael Wilson, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, said in a letter to state leaders that bridge allegations of unfair treatment surrounding its twin span proposal are unfounded. Wilson denied complaints by bridge officials that the Canadian government has delayed the twin span’s environmental assessment and said the view that the government-sponsored Detroit River International Crossing bridge is costly and not needed are misguided.

Wilson’s three-page letter was addressed to the speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate majority leader. A copy was also issued to Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Wilson said the bridge twinning was ruled out by DRIC because of negative environmental impacts in Windsor, lack of system redundancy and inadequate space for a border inspection plaza in Windsor. “In Canada, the bridge company does not have any of the approvals necessary to proceed with construction,” Wilson said. Read more here.