U.S. President Barack Obama has given the green light for the construction of a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor.
Canada and Michigan had reached an agreement to build the bridge last June, but as is the case with all international border crossings, the project needed a presidential permit before it could be launched.
“This project is important for the future of Michigan, the United States, and Canada,” Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said in a statement on Friday, announcing Obama’s approval.
The project, one of Canada’s top infrastructure priorities, will take about seven years to complete, with construction expected to begin in about two years.
Canada’s Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt welcomed the approval, and said the bridge will help both nations grow their economy and create jobs.
“The presidential permit represents an important step towards a new bridge which will be needed for growing trade and traffic at the busiest Canada-U.S. commercial border crossing with over 8,000 trucks crossing each day,” Raitt said in a statement.
“This project will create thousands of jobs and opportunities on both sides of the border both during the construction period and in the years to come.”
As part of the agreement, Canada is responsible for constructing, financing, and operating the bridge, which will cross the Detroit River.
In addition to the new six-lane bridge, the project will include state-of-the-art inspection plazas and an interchange with Interstate-75 in Michigan.
Obama Approves Windsor-Detroit Bridge Construction
U.S. President Barack Obama has given the green light for the construction of a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor.
4/14/2013
Updated: 7/18/2015
