Canada urges U.S. to pay $250M share for Detroit-Windsor bridge

[CHIMO]

Source: CBC News

The Canadian government is urging the Obama administration to pay for its share of the costs for building a customs plaza on the U.S. side of a planned bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, says Transport Minister Lisa Raitt.

Canada has been working under the assumption the U.S. would pay $250 million to build the customs plaza, a key link to the Detroit-Windsor bridge, but a lack of money allocated in the U.S. federal budget in March has sent a signal that funding for the project could be at risk.

In the letter, Masse points to a section of the Crossing Agreement dated June 15, 2012, that would leave Canada responsible for financing the customs plaza unless "U.S. federal agencies agree" to take on the responsibility.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-urges-u-s-to-pay-250m-share-for-detroit-windsor-bridge-1.2595700

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K Sera Sera! Just think!

[Orrex]

1. "Urges?" That's pretty strong language.

In the recent past, such effrontery would have led to all-out war.

[Boreal]

2. lol

When that bridge was pushed through, the Michigan proponents were saying it would cost Michigan taxpayers zero. On the Canadian side, they were saying the same thing!

[amandabeech]

3. The current bridge, the Windsor Bridge, is privately owned.

I've spent a lot of time in Michigan over the last three and a half years due to a family situation. The TV was filled with advertising against the new bridge, paid for by the current bridge's owners, claiming that the new bridge would cost Michigan taxpayers huge amounts of money. I think that the owners have political connections to the current Repug governor and legislators.

[CHIMO]

6. $1B Windsor-Detroit bridge deal struck

A deal has been struck to build a new Canadian-financed bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ont., a move that government and business interests say will generate jobs and economic growth.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder jointly made the announcement on both sides of the Detroit River, which separates the two cities by less than a kilometre.

Under the agreement, Michigan wouldn't be obligated to pay any of the anticipated $1-billion cost of the bridge.

Also under the agreement:

■Ottawa will make annual "availability payments" to fund the design and construction of the crossing as well as for the operation and maintenance expenses during the terms of the public-private partnership agreement.
■No tolls will be charged in Michigan for use of the bridge. Canada will charge tolls, which will be used to reimburse the Canadian government for the funds it spent to build the span.
■Canada will pay all costs of the required land acquisition in Canada and Michigan. It also will pay to construct an interchange to connect the crossing to I-75.
■The public-private partnership agreement and the request for proposals must contain provisions for community benefit plans and for the involvement affected communities in Michigan and Canada.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/1b-windsor-detroit-bridge-deal-struck-1.1141713
Jun 15, 2012 5:14 AM ET| Last Updated: Jun 15, 2012 4:13 PM ET

Sounds like a foreign government is buying control of contiguous land!

[amandabeech]

7. The story says that Canada will pay for the interchanges,

but it doesn't say that the government of Canada will own the land.

Usually, these things have some sort of operating entity that is related to but separate from the governments involved.

Sometimes a long-term lease is involved.

Michigan has two other bridges and a tunnel connecting various spots of its territory to Ontario. I believe that all but the Ambassador Bridge are jointly owned among some combination of state/province, federal and local governments.

No one is using troops without insignia and with balaclavas to invade, seize and annex territory unilaterally, if that's what you're talking about.

[Bragi]

4. "Urges"?

Actually, we meant "launches nuclear missiles" but there wasn't enough space. Regards, Canada

[Sunlei]

5. surely one of those republican political 'charities' could divert 250mil in obamacare tv ads and

pay the Canadians. That's chump change for the Rhobbits.