Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Supports Building DRIC Bridge

DETROIT (WJBK) - Governor Rick Snyder said a new, publicly funded bridge between Windsor and Detroit will be a key component in reviving Michigan's economy.

"We must move forward towards building … a new bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario," Snyder said in his State of the State address Wednesday.

Click here for more coverage on the State of the State address.

The governor gave a ringing endorsement to the proposed Detroit River International Crossing.

"What I love about our new governor is that when he does something, he's all in. When he decided he was going to do DRIC, he said I'm all in. I was thrilled not only with the endorsement, (but) with the strength of the endorsement," said Sandy Baruah with the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The proposed $2-billion dollar project would create 10,000 construction and supply-related jobs, and is projected to create 25,000 permanent jobs.

However, Matty Maroun, the billionaire owner of the Ambassador Bridge, opposes a new span. Late last year, outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, a Maroun supporter, blocked any vote on the issue.

Former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard has been lobbying for a new bridge.

"The legislature will have to do the right thing, and I think the governor's providing that kind of leadership. He's stepped out, and he's a business man. He understands this is important to our jobs future," he said.

"Ford, Chrysler, the auto supply chain, our chamber are all strongly supportive of the DRIC bridge, which will be built by private contractors, which will be paid for by tolls, and the upfront financing will largely come from our friends, the Canadians," Baruah said.

The Canadian government is offering to loan Michigan $550-million to cover its share of the bridge costs.

Snyder says he's got the okay from Washington to use the Canadian loan money as Michigan's matching share to get more federal highway dollars.

"Now their transportation infrastructure dollars are now tied to this bridge. The governor was brilliant in making it relevant to every state legislator," said Baruah.

"We're going to look at the new plan. We're going to make sure taxpayers are protected, make sure we're meeting the needs of international commerce and making sure that we flesh out the details within this plan," said Jase Bolger, speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.