LANSING – Worries about the auto industry as well lower traffic projections raise questions about the need for the construction of both a second span at the Ambassador Bridge and a new Detroit River International Crossing, a report on U.S./Canadian border issues said.

The report, prepared by the Brookings Institution and backed by the Detroit Regional Chamber, and called “Toward a New Frontier, Improving the U.S.-Canadian Border,” said there has been great frustration in both Michigan and Canada over delays and disputes on getting the new spans built despite concentrated efforts by business and government to move ahead with the projects.

The report outlines a number of areas to improve both security and border crossing efficiency across the U.S./Canadian border (the longest continuous border between two nations in the world). It also points out that since the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, most of the focus has been on improving security at the border.

Those enhanced security issues has been one reason there has been a drive to expand border crossings between the United States and Canada particularly between Detroit and Windsor and Buffalo, New York and Niagara Falls.

But the issue has been one of major dispute in this state. Most business organizations and the Canadian government back construction of a new DRIC bridge that would be south of the Ambassador Bridge and help minimize traffic congestion in downtown Windsor. The Canadian ambassador to the United States reiterated that support during a video presentation last spring at Michigan State University.

But Senate Republicans have pushed instead for the second Ambassador span to be built which would use private money. While that effort is not supported by United States and Canadian governments, the Canadian government has also said it is not blocking that effort.

But the slowdown in the auto industry makes it questionable that both spans would be needed, the report said.

The report does not specify which span should be built, but John Austin, co-director of the Brookings Institution’s Great Lakes Economic Initiative, said a major effort should be made to get behind development of the DRIC project. He hoped President Barack Obama would help officials work through the local political disputes to get the issue resolved.

The Detroit Chamber has also endorsed building the DRIC project.

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