Bridge decision to wait until fall

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) both said earlier this year that they would like to see quick movement on legislation authorizing construction of the new Detroit River bridge.

Snyder set July 1 as a target date for passage, but skeptical Republicans lawmakers who hold majorities in both the state House and Senate basically said  “not so fast” on June 16, indicating that the legislation would not be taken up until the fall.

The proposed publicly owned bridge between Detroit and Windsor would provide thousands of construction jobs. It would be located about a mile down river from the 81-year-old Ambassador Bridge.

But the project has been held up in good part by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Maroun, who wants to erect his own privately owned span next to the Ambassador.

Maroun says he can build the bridge less expensively, but there are concerns on both sides of the border of allowing a second privately owned bridge – with the same owner, no less – for the busiest international crossing in North America.

Michigan Republican lawmakers are the final entities standing in the way of construction of the publicly owned bridge, dubbed the “New International Trade Crossing.” Although the Canadian government has offered to pay Michigan’s $500 million share of the bridge – and get reimbursed through toll money – state Republicans claim they are still skeptical that Michigan won’t be on the hook for paying for the a portion, while wondering if the bridge is needed at all.

Gongwer News Service said that while “top Republicans were careful to say the move (to delay action on the bridge) does not mean the legislation is in trouble,” moving action to the fall “underlines the enormous obstacles facing Mr. Snyder and supporters of the bridge in trying to persuade what is clearly a skeptical crop of lawmakers.”

Poker run set for Aug. 27

The “Tim Haggart Memorial Poker Run” for motorcyclists and motor enthusiasts will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, starting at the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 333 union hall.

The event will be held in honor of the late Local 333 Business Manager Tim Haggart. A pre-registration form is available from Local 333 offices. The deadline for registration is Aug. 1.

The cost is $30 per solo rider or $45 for two riders on one bike. The ride starts at Local 333’s hall, 5405 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, MI 48911. It will include five stops. Call (517) 393-5480 to have a form mailed to you. Or, stop in at the Local 333 union halls in Lansing, Battle Creek or Jackson.

The “Tim Haggart Memorial Poker Run” for motorcyclists and motor enthusiasts will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, starting at the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 333 union hall.

The event will be held in honor of the late Local 333 Business Manager Tim Haggart. A pre-registration form is available from Local 333 offices. The deadline for registration is Aug. 1.

The cost is $30 per solo rider or $45 for two riders on one bike. The ride starts at Local 333’s hall, 5405 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, MI 48911. It will include five stops. Call (517) 393-5480 to have a form mailed to you. Or, stop in at the Local 333 union halls in Lansing, Battle Creek or Jackson.