LANSING ? Gov. Rick Snyder’s agreement with the federal government to tie Canadian money offered for the Detroit River International Crossing to the state’s federal matching rate for transportation infrastructure projects is a good deal, road interests say, but does nothing to improve the existing system.

“We’re encouraged there’s a recognition that infrastructure has to be a priority and we are going to fully support the legislation to get DRIC built,” Mike Nystrom, executive vice president for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, said Monday.

But the $550 million the Canadian government has promised to cover the state’s cost regarding DRIC is a “stop-gap” in the puzzle that has plagued lawmakers for years: how to ensure the state has enough money to receive the full federal match for road and bridge projects as well as create a system that is robust enough to take on more projects.

The state had to secure the federal matching dollars, Nystrom said, and as Snyder’s agreement appears to have done that, the question now is how to tackle the bigger issue, which is creating a stable funding stream for infrastructure projects.

“We need an investment strategy to improve our system,” he said.

MITA has been part of a coalition of groups that backed the 2008 Transportation Funding Task Force’s recommendations, which included raising the gas tax and vehicle registration fees. Neither proposal got traction in the Legislature.

Nystrom said if the group’s argument was to go before a Republican-controlled Legislature with just a gas tax increase, that would be a hard sell, but he believes the full menu of options outlined by the task force offers road interests a better chance at seeing more support.

During the election, many lawmakers talked about making transportation infrastructure a priority.

“That gives us hope they’re open to finding solutions,” Nystrom said.

So far it appears lawmakers are still trying to get a handle on the specifics of Snyder’s agreement with the federal government and its implications for the upcoming Department of Transportation budget before they delve into legislation outlining a long-term strategy for road and bridge funding.

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