OTTAWA — A meeting between Chuck Strahl and Michigan Governor-elect Rick Snyder to discuss the future of the DRIC bridge was "very productive," says the Canadian transport minister.

Strahl met Snyder in Lansing, Mich. today, where the transport minister reaffirmed Ottawa’s $550 million offer to pay the upfront costs of cash-strapped Michigan’s half of the proposed Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC).

“The meeting was very productivem," said Strahl in a press release. "The Governor-elect understands the complexity of this project and was very interested in learning more about Canada’s offer to increase its financial participation so that there would be no cost or financial risk to Michigan taxpayers.”

There’s some question over the future of the project since the Republican-led Senate refused to allow a vote to approve Canada’s offer and authorize the Michigan Department of Transportation to enter into public-private partnership to build the bridge.

It’s possible a new bill will be drawn up from scratch and introduced in the new year, but likely facing with even stiffer opposition in the House and Senate, observers believe it’s vital that Snyder — also a Republican — backs the project if it’s ever to get approval.

“A secure and efficient Windsor-Detroit trade corridor is vitally important to the economies of Michigan and Ontario, and indeed to all of Canada and the United States," Strahl said in a press release. "The Government of Canada remains fully dedicated to the project and to working jointly with our Michigan, United States and Ontario partners. Together we will get the job done and build a bridge for the future."