U.S., Canada to build new Detroit-Windsor bridge: Report

[urbanlover]

State House votes for second Detroit-Canada bridge
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News


In a tight vote along party lines, the Michigan House of Representatives voted Wednesday to move ahead with the Detroit River International Crossing -- a proposed $5.3 billion bridge connecting southwest Detroit with Windsor.

The 56-51 vote allows the Michigan Department of Transportation to enter into contracts to build the span. The bill still needs Michigan Senate approval before June 1. In the Republican-dominated Michigan Senate, the bill is expected to face stiff opposition.

"This is an important first step for Michigan and this region to maximize the job and business creation potential of the busiest border crossing in North America," said Bill Shreck, director of communications for MDOT. "We hope the Michigan Senate follows suit to bring 10,000 construction jobs to Michigan and choices for motorists and businesses at the border."



From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100...#ixzz0pR0Oga9m

[Haljackey]

Here's something you might find interesting:


Windsor's Chris Vander Doelen: Moroun musings


By Chris Vander Doelen May 18, 2010

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/entertain...#ixzz0pjFIfqAn

Windsor Star columnist Chris Vander Doelen.

Did you know that Canada refuses to fix up Highway 401 so traffic can cross the international border into Detroit easier?

It was news to me, too. I've been commuting daily through the many construction projects on our local section of the Trans-Canada Highway for years.

It's going to be a fabulous, world-class highway when it's finished. As a taxpayer and a driver, I couldn't be more pleased with the $500 million the province of Ontario and the federal government have spent rebuilding the 401 from Tilbury to Windsor in preparation for the new crossing over the Detroit River.

But all of that work is invisible to the Moroun family of Detroit, the people who own the Ambassador Bridge. They want to prevent anyone from building another crossing to compete with them.

"Canada has allowed the 401 to stay the way it has been for the past 40 years," Matthew Moroun, son of tycoon Matty Moroun, told a news conference Monday.

It was one of a slew of similar reality-defying claims uttered with straight faces by Moroun and his people.

Canada's alleged inaction on Highway 401 was supposed to illustrate why the Morouns should be left in charge of the border.

The Ambassador Bridge clan also called the meeting to refute a speech made an hour earlier by John Baird, Canadian minister of transport, infrastructure and communities.

According to the Morouns, Baird doesn't know anything about transportation or infrastructure -- or Windsor, to hear the Morouns tell it. But they do. They're experts.

Baird had just told 300 members and guests of the Detroit Economic Club that it's a misconception that the Morouns' plans to build a new bridge to Canada are all ready to go, except for the permits being issued.

"No, no, no, and no," an exasperated Baird said of the Ambassador Bridge's state of readiness. The Morouns have not submitted any applications to build their bridge, Baird said. They have not begun to meet environmental approvals.

The Morouns have not even started to prepare to begin to do anything at all about building its new bridge, the minister said. "On a scale of zero to 100, they're at ZERO," a sarcastic Baird told a blue-chip audience of Michigan's business leaders.

An hour later, the family and its lawyers (the elder Moroun wasn't in evidence) claimed they've done all the work necessary to pass an environmental assessment.

It's just that the evil Canadian federal government won't approve it.

"The gentleman should simply approve our environmental documents and allow us to go forward," Moroun said of Baird.

It was difficult to sit through. Maybe this guff works on Americans. But it left me shaking my head in disbelief that anybody could insult public intelligence this way.

The $550 million extra the Canadian government just put up so that Michigan doesn't have to break its budget to approve the new bridge? That money is "unbudgeted," Moroun claimed.

A Canadian federal cabinet minister had just said in public the funds are fully approved, but a foreigner says it's not true.

Ontario is behind the feds 110 per cent, and the two governments don't even get along politically. The City of Windsor now backs both senior governments.

So who are we going to believe -- our own three levels of government, which for the first time in living memory are singing in unison on the need for a new bridge to the U.S.?

Or do we listen to a guy from another country telling us our elected officials are not telling the truth, and our country is evil? Tough choice.

I couldn't help myself when Moroun -- a nice guy, actually -- claimed that the Canadian government is so lax about security concerns that it wasn't even guarding the Ambassador Bridge against international terrorism.

How does he know this? "You can't see any Mounties," Moroun said, straight face still intact.

I put up my hand. "Have you ever heard of CSIS? The Canadian Security Intelligence Service? You're not supposed to see them. They don't wear red coats."

There were some titters in the audience. After some blustering about 24-hour security, they ignored my question and moved on.

Sheesh. These people want to continue to manage North America's most important border crossing, and they pretend to not know that Canada's security forces don't dress like Dudley Do-Right.

What's scarier is that they undoubtedly do know the truth.

They're counting on some Americans to not know. Either way that makes them unfit to keep their monopoly over our border.

The sooner they don't stand between Canadians and Americans anymore, the better.

cvanderdoelen@thestar.canwest.com or 519-255-6852 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 519-255-6852 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 519-255-6852 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 519-255-6852 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 519-255-6852 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 519-255-6852 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/entertain...#ixzz0pjFRU9Jv

[I-275westcoastfl]

Wow the level of stupidity people will go through to make money.

[hkskyline]

Bridge toll
6 December 2010
The Detroit News

It's probably just as well that the second Detroit River bridge is dead for now. There were too many last-minute concerns about the proposed Detroit River International Crossing, envisioned as a new public link between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Unanswered, at least to the satisfaction of a number of state lawmakers, was the question of whether the proposed span in the downriver area of Detroit could operate solely on toll revenues and without any state subsidies.

That's a key question for a state that doesn't have a single extra dollar to spend.

The $5.3-billion project, discussed for months, came to a crashing halt with the defeat of a procedural vote in the Senate Thursday as lawmakers wound down the 95th legislative session. Its fate now is in the hands of Gov.-elect Rick Snyder and many new legislators, who next year will have to decide if it's affordable.

If the bridge would require a substantial annual stipend from the state, it's likely not possible. Snyder is about to take on the tough job of reinventing state government and finding the money to keep fixing Michigan roads at the current pace. There's no room for new expenses.

The federal governments of the two countries and a host of businesses and public-interest organizations, including the Detroit Regional Chamber, badly want this new bridge to spur added commerce across what already is the busiest commercial corridor linking the U.S. and Canada. So strong is Canada's interest that its government has made a very attractive offer: it will loan up to $550 million to cover Michigan's share of the construction costs, collecting the repayment from toll revenues.

There's a sense that Michigan officials can't dither if they want to protect and bolster their share of cross-border commercial traffic. Competing cities, such as Buffalo, New York, also are eying new links with Canada.

But state lawmakers have been in a quandary. Many favored the project, while others staunchly defended a competing proposal from Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun to add a second span to his structure. While Canadian officials have refused to allow another span in the crowded area of Windsor where his bridge lands, Moroun has fought tooth-and-nail against the DRIC and the negative impact he believes it would have on his company's bottom line.

Late in the discussions, DRIC opponents obtained copies of Michigan Transportation Department internal documents that suggest a PriceWaterhouseCoopers report had shown that tolls alone wouldn't fully cover costs. According to one report, industry analysts said tolls on the new bridge would have to be double what Moroun charges on the Ambassador for it to operate without a subsidy.

If that's true, Michigan might have to follow the lead of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who killed state participation in an $8.7-billion rail tunnel under the Hudson River between his state and Manhattan. He said the project, while desirable, wasn't something his deeply-in-debt state could afford. Michigan is in a similar situation.

If the DRIC is feasible, on the other hand, it would be a shame to lose out on this golden opportunity. Lawmakers and Snyder should make figuring that out a top priority when they arrive in Lansing in the new year.

[dibble zee]

Couple things

I really, REALLY want this bridge to come to fruition. I don't think you can compare it to that jersey rail tunnel. The economic benefits of this bridge would far out-weight the tunnel in jersey.

That Moroun (moron more like it) guy won't budge. Canada won't budge either. Its up to Michigan to give Moroun the middle finger, and join forces with Canada so the new bridge can be built.

BTW can I has rendering?

[ekkasit]

Yes+++ I'll Go

[hkskyline]

Ambassador Bridge official expected to discuss rival plans for new spans across Detroit River
16 February 2011

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The son of Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun is expected to speak in Lansing about competing proposals to build another span between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

The company says Detroit International Bridge Co. Vice Chairman Matthew Moroun has scheduled a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the state Capitol. The company's statement says Moroun will discuss "a significant matter" related to the "proposed new international bridge crossing."

Bridge spokesman Alan Upchurch says Moroun is expected to talk about the Detroit River International Crossing plan that's backed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and the Canadian government, as well as his company's rival plan for a second span.

Upchurch declines to provide details about the announcement.

[VoltAmps]

Finally this thing is gaining steam!!

Senate committee opens bridge hearings

A state Senate committee opened hearings yesterday on legislation that would start the process of building a new bridge connecting Detroit to Canada.

The new bridge would compete with the existing Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor-Ontario.

Governor Rick Snyder would like the Legislature to approve the initial stages of the bridge project by the end of the month.

Representatives of Governor Snyder’s administration and the Canadian government were on hand to insist the new bridge is an economic necessity that would not cost Michigan taxpayers any money.

Canada has committed to pay all the construction costs with repayment coming from tolls.

Roy Norton, Canada’s consul general to Michigan, says both Michigan and Canada would benefit from expanded border access.


“There are jobs in almost every county of Michigan that depend on companies being able to move things back and forth across the frontier with Canada,” said Norton.

The new bridge would compete with the existing Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor. The owners of the Ambassador Bridge are trying to stop the project.

Matthew Moroun’s family owns the Ambassador Bridge. Moroun will testify today before the state Senate Economic Development Committee.


“We intend to show the actual statistics," said Moroun. "You know, we’ve been in the bridge business for 30-some years, and you learn a lot about the bridge business from being in the bridge business, I can tell you.”

Moroun says the state and Canada cannot credibly guarantee taxpayers’ money is not at stake in going ahead with a new bridge.

Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is the governor’s lead negotiator to win legislative support of the bridge. He says a new border crossing in southeastern Michigan is critical to the economic future of the entire state.


“Our biggest customer is Canada," said Calley. "We sell more to Canada than anybody else. They buy more of our goods than anybody else, and so we need more access, better access to that market if Michigan is to be successful.”

Calley and the Snyder administration face skeptics in the Legislature.

Opponents of a new bridge say traffic studies show there’s no need for a new bridge. They also say the state should not be backing a public bridge to compete with a private business.

Many Democratic and Republican lawmakers say they remain skeptical the deal would be good for Michigan taxpayers or that a new bridge is necessary, and they say it will take more before they’ll cast a vote in favor of it.

[sonysnob]

Parkway is road to the future: MPP

Dignitaries take part in a groundbreaking for the Windsor-Essex Parkway on Howard Avenue in Windsor on Thursday, August 18, 2011.

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/business/...#ixzz1VPZaqQOO

[Ervin2]

Why is everybody paying so much attention to the owner of the existing bridge? Is this much needed project seriously being threatened by the financial plight of ONE person? What the hell?

There are no potential job losses, there's no negative impact on the economy, it's all just one guy who's bottom line being hurt that's putting the entire project into question.

[hkskyline]

Billionaire bridge owner jailed
Manuel (Matty) Moroun was found in contempt of court and sentenced to jail Thursday
CBC News
Posted: Jan 12, 2012 11:01 AM ET
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2012 6:17 PM ET

Wayne County, Mich., Circuit Judge Prentis Edwards ordered billionaire Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel (Matty) Moroun to serve jail time Thursday morning.

The ruling came in a contempt of court case surrounding the Detroit International Bridge Company’s refusal to finish court-ordered roadwork and other construction on the U.S. side of the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, Ont.

In a packed courthouse, Moroun’s lawyer argued the billionaire is not the owner of the company and should have been excused from the hearing.

Edwards refused to excuse Moroun and instead ordered him and bridge company president, Dan Stamper, to serve jail time. They will remain behind bars until the company complies with a February 2011 court order that requires the work be done or until they prove they no longer have the ability to comply with the court order.

So, on the spot, Stamper and Moroun resigned from president and director, respectively. But they were still sent to jail.

Edwards also fined the company the allowable maximum of $7,500. The judge said given the circumstances that the fine was not enough to force the company to comply. He also ordered the company to pay the state’s legal costs.

Moroun’s lawyer argued that jailing an 84-year-old man of Moroun's stature was unfair and a violation of Moroun's rights.

Judge's decision praised

"Justice prevails. Keep them in jail until [they] build the direct connections," said Deb Sumner of Detroit, referring to linkages that were to have been built betwen the bridge and the interstate. "He’s a citizen like everyone else and he should be treated the same."

Sumner is part of Detroit Bridge Watch, a community group that keeps an eye on the bridge. Sumner said the lack of direct connections from the highway to the bridge force truck traffic through her neighbourhood.

"I'm extremely pleased that the courts act on behalf of the citizens of Michigan," she said outside the courtroom. "We have a working court that protects the public."

Son alleges 'personal vendetta'

Several lawyers for the bridge company refused comment Thursday.

The judge's decision and the resignation of Moroun and Stamper leave Moroun's son, Matthew, in charge of the company.

In a statement, Matthew Moroun called the case "excessive, unwarranted and outrageous."

"This entire legal process has clearly become a personal vendetta by the judge against these individuals," Matthew Moroun wrote.

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s lawyer said the bridge company has no intent to comply with the court and that the judge should appoint a receiver.

Tony Kratofil of the Michigan Department of Transportation said jail time is the only way to "coerce the bridge company into compliance" of the year-old court order.

"What I hope happens is that it complies with the judge’s order," Kratofil said.

He estimated there is probably several months of construction left to be done.

The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest international crossing in North America.

Almost $500 million US in trade crosses the Ambassador Bridge on a daily basis. An average of 28,814 trucks crossed the border daily in 2010.

The judge's decision was the second big blow dealt to the bridge company this week.

A man fell 40 metres from the bridge Wednesday while painting the international crossing. Detroit Police were still searching the Detroit River for him as Edwards ruled on the case.

[VoltAmps]

U.S., Canada set to sign historic deal today



(Photo illustration by Daniel Mears & Tim Summers / The Detroit News)

Lansing— A Detroit-to-Canada bridge envisioned to make Michigan a hub of commerce and create thousands of jobs will be built with no cash investment by Michigan under an agreement to be unveiled today.

Canada will be responsible for the design, construction, finance, operation and maintenance of the New International Trade Crossing — but Michigan will retain significant control through an International Authority to include three appointees each from Michigan and Canada.

Details of the agreement to be announced by Gov. Rick Snyder and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Windsor and Detroit were presented to The Detroit News late Thursday by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.

The deal does not require approval by the state Legislature. Republicans who control the House and Senate have been leery of a publicly owned bridge that could edge out Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun, who wants to build a second span of his own, and are skeptical of Snyder’s claims the project won’t cost Michigan a penny.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...xt|FRONTPAGE|p

[Paddington]

That Moroun guy is unbelievably crooked. The existing bridge to Canada in Detroit had no expressway access, despite being right next to I-75 and I-96. So around a decade ago, MI had a plan to build ramps to the bridge. They acquired land in Detroit and gave it to Moroun with plans to build a set of ramps to his bridge. He instead stole the public's land and built tax free gas stations and duty free shops illegally on it. In the other 49 states in America, you can't get away with stuff like that. But somehow in MI he's gotten away with it for almost a decade. The most punishment he's had is one night in jail. Supposedly, now they're building the ramps after being ordered to do so by a judge, but I'll believe it when I see it.



And the new bridge to Canada is absolutely necessary. It takes way too long to cross into Canada (or back) in Detroit compared to Buffallo-Niagara Falls for example. Thousands of commuters use that bridge and they need to be able to get to work on time. There's factories on both sides supplying each other with "just in time" deliveries. The new bridge will work well because it's further South of downtown Detroit (and Windsor) and will reduce congestion in the city.

[hkskyline]

Since the car factories are in Dearborn southwest of Detroit, it seems this new bridge south of downtown can divert cars away and speed up JIT deliveries.

[VoltAmps]

If you're coming from anywhere in the GTA its faster to reach Detroit by using the Blue Water Bridge. So who is this new bridge actually serving?

[Gistok]

Originally Posted by VoltAmps

If you're coming from anywhere in the GTA its faster to reach Detroit by using the Blue Water Bridge. So who is this new bridge actually serving?

If you're coming thru to Michigan from Illinois/Indiana, the Port Huron/Sarnia route is faster via I-94 to I-69 to Canada. If you're coming to Michigan from Ohio, the Detroit/Windsor route is faster via I-75.

And with the Detroit/Windsor border crossing (a car tunnel and a car/truck bridge) already the busiest between USA/Canada, an additional span will handle future traffic increases. Also there already is a train tunnel between Detroit/Windsor not far from the bridge... but it cannot handle double stacked cargo containers... only single stack containers.

[hkskyline]

Bridge Company says new bridge must be private
CBC
29 October 2012

The Ambassador Bridge Company is willing to compete against anyone who builds a new Windsor-Detroit crossing, as long as it's not the government.

With only a week until voters take to the polls on Proposal 6, Ambassador Bridge Company president Dan Stamper held a news conference Monday to try and sway the public to vote against a new bridge.

Stamper said the only way to ensure fair competition is to have a private investor build the new bridge, even if it's not his company.

"The issue in this is this project has so many flaws in it from the beginning. The government and Canada's government should have to explain it to the people and let the people decide and the governor has done everything but that," said Stamper.

Stamper said he's willing to talk with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder behind closed doors, but hasn't received an invitation.

The luxuries of government will make it unfair to compete against a publicly-funded bridge, he said, and the proposal has many flaws.

Legislative and tax exemptions are two things the Ambassador Bridge didn’t receive during the construction of its span, Stamper said.

He said the State of Michigan has spent $40 million in studies in relation to the new Detroit River International Crossing.

Stamper claims the government is using its position of power to try and run the Ambassador Bridge out of business, which has been opened since 1927.

“There’s something morally wrong with the state using all of its assets to harm that individual [Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun] and blame him for all their problems," said Stamper.

The plan was created on false traffic and financial projections, he added.

“This is not a competition,” said Stamper. “This is the State of Michigan and Canada that’s trying to relocate business to two miles west of where it is today with every luxury of government to do it.”

Stamper said the Ambassador Bridge twin span would conform with all of the current regulations under the bridge proposal without involving taxpayers.

"I don't think the Ambassador Bridge has a monopoly on anything except for running the most efficient border crossing in North America and I think it upsets a lot of folks so they [the government] make it personal," said Stamper.

The Taxpayers Against Monopolies group is planning to release a campaign of its own starting next week urging people to vote against Proposal 6.

"While we will be severely outspent, we are confident it does not take as much money to tell the truth about this campaign and the new international trade crossing," said spokesperson Tom Shields in a news release.

Stamper said it's time to let taxpayers decide the fate of a new bridge.

“The personal attacks have become so outrageous that we need to take a step back and look at the projects that have caused this agreement," said Stamper.

Michigan voters will have their say on Proposal 6 on Nov. 6.

[VoltAmps]

According to the latest polls done by Fox 2, Proposal 6 is a big fat NO

56% oppose it
40% support it

Looks like we'll be getting this sooner than later

[smokiboy]

So when, oh when, is construction of the bridge 'planned' to commence?

[urbanlover]

Originally Posted by smokiboy

So when, oh when, is construction of the bridge 'planned' to commence?

If all goes all well, by the end of the year.


Feds allow Canada bridge steel


Detroit — The U.S. Federal Highway Administration will allow Canadian steel to be used in the construction of the New International Trade Crossing.

The administration granted a waiver that went into effect Thursday, allowing the span to be built without the restrictions of the federal Buy American policy, which requires only U.S. steel to be used. Eventually, selected contractors will be able to use steel produced in both countries.

Backers of the New International Trade Crossing said they were pleased by the decision — one that Gov. Rick Snyder petitioned for in August so that Canadian iron and steel could be used on Canada's portion of the new span.

Last month, Snyder said Michigan should clear the final permit hurdles to building a bridge to Canada within six months. Seventeen transportation and construction organizations urged President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday to approve a permit for construction of the bridge

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz2FTn7Tuxs