Detroit City Wire

For more than a decade, the Detroit Regional Chamber advocated for a third connection between Detroit and Windsor – the busiest northern border crossing between Canada and the U.S., and a key hub in one of the densest, most interconnected transportation and trade corridors in North America.

The efforts reached a critical milestone recently as construction crews working above the Detroit River connected the U.S. and Canadian sides of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, creating a new artery for one of the world’s largest trading partnerships.

While recent years have seen significant construction work on the bridge, early challenges were not related to engineering but to moving the project forward post-Great Recession amid opposition and financial constraints. “This new crossing has been the Chamber’s top infrastructure priority for years and we put everything we had into making it a reality,” Baruah said. “We can’t overstate what the Gordie Howe International Bridge means to our members, particularly those in automotive, advanced manufacturing, and the supporting supply chain. This critical infrastructure is a game-changer and will drive economic growth in Michigan for decades to come.”

The Chamber's leadership included raising awareness about the economic impact of the Detroit-Windsor border crossing, advocating within state legislature amid opposition, supporting then-Gov. Rick Snyder’s efforts to partner with both legislature and Canada, opposing Proposal 12-6 which could have undermined the project, and educating Michigan voters who rejected this ballot proposal in 2012.

With more than 200 million people and approximately $500 billion in goods moving across the Canadian-U.S. border annually, maintaining that flow had been a long-standing Chamber priority since early 2000s. Michigan accounted for more than half of total U.S. trade with Canada, primarily via Detroit and Port Huron international border crossings. In 2008, total trade between Michigan and Canada exceeded $67.4 billion with Canada serving as Michigan’s most important trading partner.

Protecting that flow from congestion gained prominence during and after the Great Recession alongside concerns about Michigan’s infrastructure capacity. The Chamber emerged as an advocate for adding redundancy to aging infrastructure like Ambassador Bridge through support for projects such as Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Report.

“Congestion and delays at border crossings have been an issue for several years and if not addressed can impact individual businesses and ultimately overall economy,” stated an excerpt from “The Economic Impact of Border” fact sheet by Chamber and SEMCOG citing DRIC Report.

Despite strong business case for another span, political headwinds persisted in post-recession state necessitating legislative action enabling agreement with Canada to build it through public-private partnership financing toll collection mechanisms.

Operating respected advocacy office in Lansing enabled Chamber to rally business community around New International Trade Crossing (NITC). Summer 2011 saw Chamber hosting tour of bridge site with state Senate Economic Development Committee members although committee eventually voted down project.

Newly elected Gov. Rick Snyder became bridge champion despite initial non-committal stance during 2010 election; endorsed early by Chamber he called for bridge construction during first State of State Address reiterating call at Mackinac Policy Conference wearing “Build Bridge” pin alongside Baruah emphasizing importance similar modern bridges like Mackinac Bridge held historically.

Blocked by Republican-led legislature Snyder took executive action June 2012 reaching direct agreement with Canada circumventing legislative impasse ensuring no state appropriation needed leveraging Canadian funding eligible matching U.S federal funds reimbursed via tolls collected Canada covering land acquisition costs connecting NITC I-75 interchange construction expenses paid Canadians

Williams noted “It took one good person with executive authority or new bridge doesn’t get done because they wouldn’t do it legislatively Gov Snyder stepped up big time”

Proposal 12-6 on November 2012 ballot posed additional challenge stating any new U.S.-Canada bridge crossing required voter approval per constitutional amendment potentially undermining Snyder deal

Chamber opposed Prop 12-6 becoming face opposition raising voter awareness voting "no" Williams stated "Chamber was opposition voice Prop 6 us against historically well-funded opposition taking every opportunity tout why new crossing needed biggest infrastructure project lifetime couldn’t let something important go down without people understanding all stake voters delivered"

Michigan voters rejected Proposal 6 by margin of 59.3% to 40.7%. While other legal challenges emerged heaviest political lift overcome As bridge now connects nearing completion traffic soon cross thanks largely Detroit Regional Chamber members elevating issue until path emerged building new international crossing over Detroit River