Officials: Customs plaza funding omission not derailing plans for Detroit-Canadian bridge

3/9/2014

DETROIT — Officials in Michigan say the omission in the federal budget for funding of a border inspection plaza in Michigan is not expected to delay construction of a commuter bridge between Detroit and Canada.

Land acquisition for the New International Trade Crossing could start this summer on the U.S. side of the Detroit River with bridge construction scheduled to begin in 2016. The project would be completed in 2020.

The span would compete with the existing Ambassador Bridge for toll revenues.

President Barack Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2015 budget does not set aside money specifically for the $250 million Detroit plaza, although it does include $486 million for unspecified projects.