Bridge to Canada at Del Ray?

[firemedic54]

I was reading detnews.com this morning and they're reporting that a possible site for a second bridge to Canada would be downriver, more specifically, the area near Del Ray. They're saying some houses and businessess would be bought or relocated. I'm wondering if there would be any impact on the rail service i.e. track relocation stuff along those lines.

[KenB]

Actually no railroad track relocation. Site will be along the Union Belt of Detroit and east. Everything from Livernois south to Solvay will be eliminated. New ramp at I-75. Go to MDOT site for site plans. This would start at the north city limits of Delray (one word). hopefully our State Government will realize this is building now for the future and this project will move forward. Will probley be a cable stayed bridge like the I-280 bridge in Toledo except with two towers to have clear span over the river.
KenB

[Cinderpath]

This would be a great project for the area, and would bring some much needed jobs, not to mention, I think it would bring needed competition to Matty Morun's Ambassador Bridge. (He says he'll file a law suite against it, no surprise there).

Not to mention having the new bridge would reduce traffic and congestion closer to Detroit, and allow a better connection with the 401 in Ontario.

[Gov. Crappo]

i agree....a new crossing is needed....

[hoborich]

No offense guys, but I've been hearing this stuff for ummm, 40 years or more. A second Ambassador Bridge. And my favorite, that cable car operation across the Detroit River they were going to build, 20 years ago.

[hobojim]

Seems that I recall this to be a recurring story alos, Rich.

[Hugh]

Have the Canadians agreed to this?

[Ben Higdon]

Maybe this story could be linked to the annual 'restoration of the MC station' news story for added flavour.

[GreatLakesRailfan]

Where does MDOT plan to get the money for this bridge? They're a government organization and all, but given the state of the tax base in Michigan, do they really have the funding to pay for a new bridge across the international border? And if they're going to build a new bridge to Canada, why not just build it up in Port Huron to go with that new customs plaza that's supposed to be built in the near future? There's (supposedly) plenty of land in St. Clair County they could use for this project...

[Cinderpath]

Why build it in Port Huron, so most of the traffic needed to go between the two countries can travel an additional bunch of miles? The majority of traffic going into Canada originates from S. of Port Huron. That would be an absolute waste of fuel, and very inefficient.

As for funding, the Feds will pay a big chunk of it. From where? The same place they worried about funding the war in Iraq, the only difference is this will actually benefit our country instead......

[Stitch]

Personally the plan Matt Morun has looks far better and makes more sense plus he has already built the new on ramps for his vision he just needs to complete it. Plus he is putting up a lot of the money for the project.

[hoborich]

Maybe this story could be linked to the annual 'restoration of the MC station' news story for added flavour.

Now you made me spew coffee out my nose. Heh, heh, heh.
What happened to all those proposed loft apartments, and retail outlets on the main floor?
Or my favorite, Kwames new poleece headquarters.

I remember back in the early 50s, in the spring, my dad taking me down to the REA office, at the depot, to pick up some bees. The Railway Express Agency place was filled with crates of bees, baby chicks, crickets, and even some puppys. It was a cool place.

[hobojim]

What ever happened to Michael Jackson and Don Barden's proposal for a Neverland themepark?
Detroit has had so many pie in the sky proposals to save them. How about if they started with a good school system and decent housing and shopping.

[hoborich]

Don't get me going. I can recall a whole list of Detroit School superintendents, being fawned over by the media, and leaving before their contracts were up because of all the squabbling. Arthur Jefferson left with a few million buyout. Followed by several others, David Snead, and a couple women. Nobody stays long in Detroit.

[GreatLakesRailfan]

Why build it in Port Huron, so most of the traffic needed to go between the two countries can travel an additional bunch of miles? The majority of traffic going into Canada originates from S. of Port Huron. That would be an absolute waste of fuel, and very inefficient.

Hey, it was just a thought...and considering the amount of protest that comes from the city of Detroit whenever Port Huron gets something "cool" (or tries to, in the case of the casino) like a new bridge to Canada or a railway tunnel to Canada, it seemed an appropriate thing to mention...

[hobojim]

Charles, it is appropriate if only to hear Detroit howl. The biggest laugh is when they accuse the suburbs or state of wanting to rob Detroit of her assets( zoo, Cobo, school independence etc), as if they are worth anything.

[Cinderpath]

The Zoo is worth plenty, and now in good hands. Besides, they have a Chrysler streamlined locomotive, where else can you see that, a Polar Bear and Wolverine?

[GreatLakesRailfan]

What kind of animals are in the zoo? Can I see a Kilpatrick in it's natural environment there? How about a wino...er...rhino? Considering recent events in Detroit politics, it might be necessary to be specific as to which zoo you're referring to...

[hoborich]

The Kilpatricks knuckles are all skinned up. So it might not be on display.

[hobojim]

You guys are so BAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDD, but very accurate