A $5.3-billion (U.S.) megaproject to build a new bridge across the continent's busiest trade gateway between Windsor and Detroit has hit a fresh political roadblock in Michigan, to the frustration of Canadian officials who have been pushing the long-delayed plan.
After last week's elections returned a Republican to the state governor's mansion, the Michigan Senate put off a key vote on the bridge, possibly delaying final approval for months. It's a major setback for what would be the most vital piece of trade infrastructure linking Canada and the United States.
"Every week it's something else," complained David Bradley, president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, who speaks for the thousands of truckers who cross the border every day. "It's gone on and on."
The bridge would relieve often heavy congestion along a border that already carries more than a quarter of all Canada-U.S. trade and create tens of thousands of jobs in a region ravaged by the decline of the auto industry. Ottawa is so committed to getting it built that it put up $550-million towards Michigan's share of the cost earlier this year. And the project enjoys the support of Washington, Ontario, the Detroit Three auto makers and most business groups on both sides of the border.
"The bridge is so obviously in the self interests of both countries," said a lobbyist for the Ontario government. "It's frustrating."
The project looked like a done deal after years of study and environmental approvals in both countries. And construction was poised to begin in the spring.
But last week, Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Bishop abruptly cancelled a final vote, handing the issue to the newly elected legislature and the state's Republican Governor Rick Snyder to deal with in 2011.
The election and the delayed vote has spawned uncertainty and confusion, as no one is quite certain how the new Governor and legislature will view the project, given the state's serious fiscal constrains.
The new bridge is part of larger project that would create the first direct highway-to-highway link between the two cities. Trucks and cars must now navigate city streets, numerous stop lights and city traffic between Highway 401 on the Ontario side and various Interstate highways on the U.S. side.
Adding to the drama, Ontario has already put together a consortium that to build a $1.6-million (Canadian) access highway to the Canadian side of the new span. The new bridge, dubbed the Detroit River International Crossing, is slated to be built a few kilometres down the Detroit River from the existing 80-year-old Ambassador Bridge.
Without a new bridge, Ontario could be left with a highway to nowhere.
"Everyone talks about wanting to make manufacturers more competitive and yet we're being held back by 19th-century infrastructure at Detroit," said Mr. Bradley of the Canadian Trucking Alliance.
The Ambassador Bridge, owned by billionaire Manuel "Matty" Moroun, now enjoys a monopoly on truck traffic between the two cities. Mr. Moroun has lobbied vigorously to block the project, arguing in favour of adding a second span to his own bridge.
The project is by no means dead. And officials on both sides of the border are working hard to get it back on track - if not during the current lame-duck session of the legislature, then certainly when the new Governor takes office next year.
Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis insisted the project would go ahead in spite of the most recent setback. He expressed confidence Michigan won't turn its back on the thousands of jobs and billions in trade at stake.
"This will get done," Mr. Francis said. "This is too important of a project."
Former Michigan governor James Blanchard, who has been working for Michigan's department of transportation, also insisted the missed vote would not kill the new bridge.
The worst that would come of all the political problems in a Michigan is a delay, according to Mr. Blanchard. But he expressed confidence that the incoming Governor would support the new bridge.
"I think it's going to happen," he said. "It's a matter of time."
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THE BRIDGE BUSINESS
40%
Percentage of all truck traffic between Canada and the U.S. that crosses at the Windsor-Detroit border
$100-billion
Amount of trade conducted across the Ambassador Bridge each year; Canada and the U.S. do $400-billion worth of trade annually
40,000
Number of commuters who cross the Ambassador Bridge daily
$323-million
Value of goods that cross the Ambassador Bridge daily
$1.5-billion to $3-billion
Estimated cost of the government's proposed Detroit River International Crossing.
Sources: Forbes, Ambassador Bridge