By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-904356.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The state House has approved a plan to allow the Michigan Department of Transportation to partner with a private company to build another bridge between Detroit and Canada.
AUDIO:
House Republicans and a few House Democrats say the proposal is too vague, and there is not enough traffic to make a new international bridge crossing a viable investment for the state.
Democratic state Representative George Cushingberry says Michigan would struggle to pay back a loan from the Canadian government.
"And what that says to me is, my taxpayers in Detroit who are over-burdened will have to pony up to help pay for this bridge for nowhere some time."
Governor Granholm and most House Democrats say a new bridge would draw new traffic and create ten thousand construction jobs. And they say it would help prepare the state for an economic recovery.
The bill now heads to the Republican-led state Senate.