R.G. Edmonson, Associate Editor | Jan 30, 2012 12:31PM EST
Public support for a new bridge between Canada and the U.S. at Detroit is growing, but a $6 million negative advertising campaign against the New International Trade Crossing has taken its toll, according to published reports.
The poll, sponsored by the Detroit Free Press and a local television station, found that opponents had a 9 point advantage, but only a few months ago opponents outnumbered supporters 2-1. Support for the new bridge is strongest in the three counties that comprise the Detroit metropolitan area.
The NITC is a proposed $5.3 billion project to add a second span across the Detroit River to relieve congestion at the busiest crossing on the Canadian border.
Manuel “Matty” Moroun, owner of the 80-year-old Ambassador Bridge, and his Detroit International Bridge Co. have vigorously opposed the new bridge.
Last fal,l DIBC launched an aggressive statewide television campaign to build opposition to the NITC. In October, state senators turned back legislation that’s needed for the state to proceed with the project for the second year in a row. However, the poll of 600 likely voters showed strong opposition to Gov. Rick Snyder bypassing the Legislature to get the bridge started.
Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobinWash.
