No. H047/10
For release - April 29, 2010
OTTAWA — Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird announced an important step to fast-track the construction of a new bridge at the Windsor-Detroit border crossing, which is the busiest commercial crossing in North America. The Government of Canada will increase its financial participation to the project, as part of its commitment under Canada’s Economic Action Plan for short-term and long-term job creation and economic growth in the Windsor region and across Canada.
“The Government of Canada is committed to build a new bridge crossing at the Windsor-Detroit border, and this funding commitment is another step we are taking to accelerate the start of its construction,” said Baird. “The construction of this bridge will create thousands of jobs in Southwestern Ontario, and prepare the region for the substantial growth of trade of travel expected in the next thirty years.”
This border crossing handles almost thirty percent of all Canada-U.S. trade totalling $130 billion per year, and sees more than 8,000 trucks and 68,000 travellers daily. In the next thirty years, truck traffic along this corridor is expected to triple and vehicle traffic will double. The construction of a new publicly-owned bridge is vital for the economic security and future prosperity of trade and travel between Canada and the United States.
The Government of Canada has indicated to the State of Michigan that it is prepared to increase its financial participation in project, up to a maximum of US $550 million. Canada’s increased financial participation would be for project components in Michigan, and will be re-paid to Canada over time.
Since 2007, the Government of Canada has been committed to advance the construction of this new crossing, and has worked in concert with partners in Canada and the United States to complete necessary requirements for its approval.
Canada’s offer is contingent on the Michigan Legislature adopting all of the authorizing legislation for the implementation of the Detroit River International Crossing project as well as the successful conclusion of the requisite governance and financial agreements between Canada and Michigan.
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