Gov. Snyder’s newly appointed director of strategy, Bill Rustem, called on MITA members to offer legislative support for the governor’s proposal to build a new international crossing in Detroit.
Speaking at the MITA annual conference at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Rustem challenged the heavy construction industry to stand behind Gov. Snyder and contact their legislators and urge support for the new DRIC bridge. He said it is critical that the industry show their support for the largest piece of proposed infrastructure in the state’s modern history.
MITA’s legislative team believes that strong industry support of DRIC is critical to demonstrate the influence the organization can have on a variety of issues-most importantly, the need for increased transportation funding. The industry is currently focused on a major initiative to get legislative and gubernatorial support for increased highway and sewer funding.
Please take the time to answer the governor’s call to action, and contact MITA’s outreach coordinator, Nicole Cook at 517-853-5866 or nicolecook@mi-ita.com, and she will help you call, email, or set up a meeting for you and/or your industry peers with your local legislators.
Highlights of the Detroit River International Crossing
- Could create as many as 10,000 jobs in Michigan between the construction work and the jobs associated with economic expansion from the enhanced border crossing.
- Will be built and operated by a public-private partnership that will enable the construction of a new $2 billion bridge between Windsor and Detroit. No money will be spent from existing state highway dollars.
- Money to build the bridge will be paid for by a private funding source. The approach to the bridge on Michigan’s side will be paid for by Canada, with future toll revenues shared with the P3 to pay off the debt.
More information can be found by clicking here.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mike Nystrom at mikenystrom@mi-ita.com, Keith Ledbetter at keithledbetter@mi-ita.com, Nicole Cook at nicolecook@mi-ita.com or call the MITA office at (517)347-8336.
