AASHTO Journal, 21 December 2012
A letter signed by almost 20 transportation, construction, and manufacturing organizations was sent last week to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing a desire to see the Detroit-Windsor Bridge project move forward.
The letter, officially sent Dec. 13, expressed support for the Detroit-Windsor Bridge New International Trade Crossing (NITC) and urged President Obama to approve the presidential permit application for construction of the bridge, which will connect Detroit to Windsor, Ontario. Currently, the Ambassador Bridge serves as the link for international trade in the area, though the organizations that signed on to the letter state the current bridge is “inadequate to handle the growing demands of the $120 billion of trade that crossed it in 2011.” Congestion has plagued the area, causing many problems for those crossing the border.
“Without the NITC, U.S. companies will continue to incur massive costs transporting goods to and from Canada (our largest trading partner), detrimentally impacting job creation, economic growth, and the environment as trucks sit idling in traffic on the way to their final destination,” the letter states.
The bridge is expected to cost approximately $950 million. Most of the funding will come from Canada and will be paid back through tolling. Once the cost of the project is covered, Michigan and Canada will both benefit from tolling revenue. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced and endorsed the project back in June (see related AASHTO Journal story: bit.ly/AJNITC).
The letter sent to the Administration was signed by: American Concrete Pavement Association; American Council of Engineering Companies; American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan; American Highway Users Alliance; American Iron and Steel Institute; American Road & Transportation Builders Association; American Traffic Safety Services Association; Associated Equipment Distributors; Associated General Contractors of America; Associated General Contractors of Michigan; Association of Equipment Manufacturers; National Asphalt Pavement Association; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association; National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association; NUCA – Representing Utility & Excavation Contractors; Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealers Association; and Portland Cement Association.
The letter is available online at bit.ly/NITCletter.