LANSING – As the Michigan Senate Transportation Committee wrapped up hearings Tuesday on the proposed Detroit River International Crossing, the committee chair, Sen. Jud Gilbert, said he is growing convinced the project can be done without risk to the state.

Gilbert (R-Algonac) said he remains undecided on the legislation to create a public-private partnership to oversee the financing to build the new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. And there are still key items to resolve, such as questions about the traffic and revenue study, the language of the bill, security at the new crossing and constitutional questions, Gilbert said.

Still, the main question – whether the bridge could be built without financial risk to the state should the project fail to generate sufficient toll revenues to repay construction costs – is closer to being answered positively, Gilbert said.

“If that concern can be addressed, which I’m beginning to think it can be, I would stand up and explain the bill … and why I support it,” he said. “Increasingly, I think it’s becoming clear that we can protect the taxpayer.”

Gilbert cited, in part, Tuesday’s testimony from Transport Canada’s John Baird before the Transportation Committee including Baird’s adamant stand that Canada will not waiver on a $550 million commitment to cover what otherwise would be Michigan’s costs for the project. Mr. Gilbert said some senators are worried about whether political support in Canada would endure for the $550 million commitment.

“There is solid support for this on the Canadian side,” Mr. Baird replied, noting that both the province of Ontario, led by the Liberal Party, and the federal government, led by Conservative Party, back the project. “There’s overwhelming support for this.”

Gilbert quipped, “You’re asking politicians to trust politicians.”

That prompted Baird to respond, “We’re Canadians. We’re good people.”

Gilbert said he was further reassured by Baird’s pledge that Michigan would not have to cover any shortfalls in the so-called availability payments that would use tolls to repay the cost of financing the construction.

“That’s the issue that’s concerned me all along.”

Baird told reporters, including some Canadian news outlets, after the hearing that he took the rare step of testifying before a foreign government to demonstrate Canada’s support for DRIC.

“I think what it shows is our government’s commitment, (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper’s commitment to fight for this project and to fight for the jobs it’ll bring to Windsor-Essex, the jobs it will bring to the auto sector,” he said. “We could really put a shot in the arm of the local economy in the next few years.”

Baird said he understood the Senate asking questions about the project.

“They … want to see the Michigan taxpayer protected,” he said. “That’s their job.”

Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Company, which owns the rival Ambassador Bridge, testified briefly after Baird and said there were several inaccuracies in Baird’s testimony. The two sides disagree on whether environmental approval is required, among other issues.

Activity on DRIC might slow now. Gilbert said he had no timetable for a vote as remaining answers are pursued. “I guess I’m not sure exactly how it’s all going to play out,” he said.

In another development, Senate Minority Floor Leader Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit) said he is undecided on the bill. Thomas said he is putting his primary focus on the so-called community benefits legislation (HB 6218 ) that ensures area residents get first crack at the jobs produced by DRIC.

That means 11 senators – nine Democrats and two Republicans – have said in interviews that they will vote for DRIC or are leaning toward doing so. Thirteen senators – three Democrats and 10 Republicans – have said they will vote no or are leaning toward voting no.

Thomas’ comments bring the number of those saying they are undecided to 11 – three Democrats and eight Republicans. Another three, one Democrat and two Republicans, have refused to comment on how they will vote.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

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