DETROIT, Mich. — The proposal to build a new bridge across the Detroit River was denied in the Michigan Senate yesterday — twice.

The bill to authorize the bridge needed to get majority support from the Michigan Senate’s Economic Development Committee.

The committee voted first on an amended version of the legislation that required the bridge contractor to plan for community benefits, including jobs and "environmental abatements," reported The Detroit Free Press, as well as other media. The two Democrats on the committee supported that version while the Republicans on the committee couldn’t get behind it.

The original version was supported by two of the five Republicans, but was denied 3-2, with the Democrats abstaining because the "community protection amendment" was not added to the bill.

“I’m done with it at this point," said Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, sponsor of the bridge legislation, adding that it represents a missed opportunity to create thousands of jobs.

Backed by many of Michigan’s large business organizations and Detroit auto companies, the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) bridge was beginning to look like an easy lay-up, especially with Canada picking up some of the tab.

Opposition by Manuel Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge, along with various conservative groups had been battling hard against the bridge proposal, concerned that the public-private partnership to build and operate the bridge would burden Michigan taxpayers.

Matthew Moroun, vice chairman of Detroit International Bridge Co., applauded the committee for "hearing all the facts."

It’s unclear what Republican Governor Rick Synder, perhaps the NITC’s biggest advocate, aims to do next. Shortly after the committee voted, Synder tweeted “We need a cooling down period to let the bridge issue calm down so we can find common ground and build the NTIC.”

Tom Shields, spokesman for the Coalition Supporting the New International Trade Crossing, said “We are deeply disappointed in the Senate committee’s failure to move the New International Trade Crossing legislation to the full Senate for a vote. A majority of Senators on the committee support the building of the NITC, they just have to craft a piece of legislation that everyone can agree to."
 

For more on the story, check out The Detroit Free Press.