BY: RICK PLUTA
Gov. Rick Snyder is using the prospect of money for road projects throughout the state to win support for a new bridge across the Detroit River connecting Michigan to Canada.
It's part of a deal the governor made with the federal Department of Transportation. It allows Michigan to use $550 million dollars that Canada would put toward the bridge project to leverage more federal matching funds for roads and bridges in Michigan. Canada made the offer to help overcome opposition to the project by Republicans in the Legislature.
Michigan Transportation Director Kirk Steudle said the new deal should be a convincing argument.
"When Canada stepped forward and said, we will pay all of Michigan's costs - that was a solid deal. But when the governor could get from the secretary of transportation the agreement to use it as the match, it really becomes very solid and there is no reason to not do this said Steudle.
Steudle said lawmakers who oppose the bridge project could also be putting at risk dollars for road and bridge repairs in their districts.
GOP leaders said they are anxious to work with the new governor, but are not ready to commit their support for the project.
Republican lawmakers killed legislation to allow the project last year because they said it could be a bad deal for taxpayers. Snyder said Michigan taxpayers won't lose money on the deal.
The new bridge is also opposed by the privately owned company that owns the Ambassador Bridge that already connects Detroit to Canada. The new bridge is widely supported by business leaders who say it would create jobs and relieve border congestion.