BEVERLY TRAN ®: Conyers Applauds Agreement Paving Way for New Detroit-Windsor Bridge

Friday, June 15, 2012

Conyers Applauds Agreement Paving Way for New Detroit-Windsor Bridge

(WASHINGTON)—Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) applauded the signing of an agreement that will allow the construction of the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) between Detroit and Windsor to move forward. The NITC will provide a modern, strategically located bridge that is vital to enhancing the $70 billion-a-year trade relationship between Michigan and Canada. Rep. Conyers is a long-time proponent of constructing the NITC. In January of this year, Rep. Conyers and the other Democratic Members of Michigan’s Delegation in the House of Representatives sent a letter to state leaders urging action on the project.

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“This is an incredible moment for our city,” said Conyers. “This new investment in Detroit’s future will expand Southeast Michigan’s trade relationship with Canada, provide immediate economic benefits to the automotive industry, and ease traffic congestion. As a long-time advocate for this bridge, it is rewarding to know that in the near future, thousands of Detroiters will be put to work building this critical new public resource.

“I am also pleased to see that this agreement will ensure that communities affected by the bridge’s construction on both sides of the border, including the Delray community, will receive benefits. As this process moves forward, I look forward to working with the Governor and the Canadian Prime Minister to ensure that these benefits are provided to the citizens of Delray in a timely and equitable manner.”

The benefits of the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) include:

· The creation of 10,000 jobs related to the project.

· A new direct connection between 1-75 in Michigan and Highway 401 in Canada that eases traffic congestion at the border and allows trucks to bypass residential communities.

· Providing an alternative point of access to Canada in case one of the other border crossings sustains a lengthy shutdown.

· The public-private partnership agreement and the request for proposals must contain provisions for community benefit plans and for the involvement of the impacted communities in Michigan and Canada.