New Bridge Called a ‘Boondoggle’

(Craig Pearson — The Windsor Star)

Michigan hasn’t purchased one acre of land

The Canadian government is wasting its money acquiring land for a new bridge across the Detroit River because the costly project will never go ahead, a U.S. lawmaker said Monday.

Ottawa has so far paid $34 million to the City of Windsor for 94 acres of land -- and is negotiating with 10 other property owners for a total of 202 acres. Michigan, however, not only has yet to purchase a single acre, but has not yet even given approval to buy any land, said Bill Shreck, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation.

“This isn’t a done deal at all,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Cropsey, a Republican and the leading opponent of the taxpayer-funded bridge. “If Canadian taxpayers want to blow money on purchasing land, that’s their prerogative. We blew money ($2 million) on a useless bridge study here in Michigan. Read more here.

Related: Bridge plan proceeding, Duncan says (Windsor Star)