New International Trade Crossing
Artist ’ s impression of the proposed New International Trade Crossing bridge lawsuits against the Canadian and Michigan governments in 2010 , arguing that the proposed New International Trade Crossing ( NITC ) could lose the Ambassador threequarters of its truck traffic , and proposed construction of a second span for the older crossing .
But their grievance was dismissed by a US District judge who ruled Moroun has failed to prove that issuance of the permit by itself would cause irreparable harm to their business . The Morouns acknowledge the Coast Guard permit award as a big setback to their campaign for a privately-funded alternative .
When ? Although the Obama Administration has not pushed for the customs plaza , leaving Canadian officials frustrated after failing to make it a priority item in the budget , there are real signs for hope .
Canadian Consul General Roy Norton has indicated that administration officials may be prepared to pay for the customs plaza too , on the Canadian side of the river , in order to move things forward . It is widely accepted that Canada needs this new crossing more than the Americans , and they are willing to pay to make it a reality .
Alternatively , US Congressman Gary Peters , D-Michigan , has introduced a bill to fund the plaza on the American side . One of the two should end up a reality sooner rather than later .
As more and more of the pieces fall into place , we can be cautiously optimistic that next year should see construction work begin on this long-awaited and much needed new crossing .
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