Well, it looks like the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) has cleared its final environmental hurdle. There is still a big question of who's competing bridge proposal will get off the ground, first, the privately-funded proposal by the Detroit International Bridge Company or this publically-funded Detroit River International Crossing:
Quote:
Second bridge to Canada wins fed approval
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News
January 15, 2009
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it has approved an environmental impact review of plans to build a second bridge across the Detroit River to Canada.
The decision represents the final environmental clearance on the U.S. side for the Detroit River International Crossing study project and will allow Michigan to begin right-of-way acquisition and construction planning for the new span.
A similar review of an environmental study on the Canadian side conducted earlier this year by Ontario and Transport Canada is nearing completion.
"This is a big milestone in the process," said Bill Shreck, director of communications for the Michigan Department of Transportation.
"It's an important component of the border system we need to make Michigan competitive in the 21st century."
Although no decision has yet been made, officials in Michigan are leaning toward locating the American end of the bridge in the Downriver area, specifically in Del Ray, near Zug Island.
In July 2008, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis endorsed building the bridge at that location.
Critics have slammed the idea of a second bridge, calling the $1 billion project too expensive and unnecessary given the current economic situation.
Others are dismayed that the construction of a second bridge at that site forces the demolition of up to 414 homes in Del Ray and would uproot as many as 56 businesses that employ nearly 1,000 people.
The Detroit International Bridge Co., which owns the Ambassador Bridge, has proposed building a second, privately owned bridge between Detroit and Windsor.
A call to the Detroit International Bridge Co. was not returned.
You can reach Tom Greenwood at (313) 222-2023.
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And, from the
Free Press, a map showing the two competing proposal:
