Ambassador Bridge Owner: Let Voters Decide
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit International Bridge Company is undertaking a drive to let the citizens of Michigan vote on the fate of a new bridge over the Detroit River.
Owners of the Ambassador Bridge say they are backing a statewide ballot proposal that would prohibit the state from developing a new U.S. to Canada bridge or tunnel unless voters approve.
Matt Maroun, Vice Chair of the Ambassador Bridge, said it's important for the public to have a say in this matter.
"People can decide whether or not they want the Governor to make a decision as to whether or not our state builds a new multi-million dollar bridge," said Maroun.
The petition will take 300,000 signatures to get on the November ballot.
"I'm supporting a petition drive by a ballot committee that would merely suggest to the voters of the state of Michigan that on such an important issue of building a multi-million dollar bridge that that decision be required to be passed by a vote of the people of the state of Michigan," said Maroun.
This is how the Ambassador Bridge project originated almost 100 years ago.
"When a Detroit Entrepreneur in the 1920s decided that he wanted to build a bridge, he had to go to the vote of the people. And only after the people decided that that bridge should be built, was it in fact built," said Maroun.
Gov. Rick Snyder wants to build a second bridge to Canada, but he's failed to convince enough lawmakers.
