Ambassador denied funding for twin bridge

DETROIT — The private owner of the Ambassador Bridge spanning the Windsor-Detroit River suffered a setback to his plans to twin the existing crossing.

According to several media reports, Manuel (Matty) Moroun’s financing plan for the project was denied by the Michigan Strategic Fund board.

Moroun asked the MSF to serve as the conduit for a bond issue that would have raised almost $800 million to pay for the second span.

The Detroit Free Press reports that MSF board declined to act after several state representatives spoke against Moroun’s plan. "The board didn’t feel it had enough time to review all the information to make a vote," board spokeswoman Bridget Beckman said.

Moroun is competing with government interests in both the U.S. and Canada who want a separate public-controlled bridge downriver.

Dan Stamper, president of the bridge company, downplayed the setback, saying the resolution will be approved when MSF members get more information.

The news comes just a week after the U.S. Coast Guard released a Draft Finding report "of no significant impact" on the surrounding environment as a result of the Ambassador Bridge Enhancement Project. The report signifies another step cleared by the  bridge company to continue working on the twin span.