MONTREAL — There could be a large role for the private sector in the financing and construction of another bridge across the Detroit River, which would create a new trade artery between the border towns Windsor, Ont. and Detroit.

As expected Transportation Minister Lawrence Cannon made the remarks yesterday at the annual convention of the Canadian Council of Public-Private Partnerships in Montreal.

As TodaysTrucking.com reported thsi past weekend (click Related Stories link below), Cannon reiterated the government’s desire to seek private involvement in creating a new bridge. Some media reports earlier in the week suggested the Minister would officially greenlight a public-private partnership (P3) for the border.

While that was not the case, the speech made it clear that a P3 is a leading option to connect Hwy 401 to the U.S. interstate in Michigan as well as increase long-term border crossing capacity in the beleaguered region with a new bridge structure.

Ottawa seems to favor a P3 solution to
navigate the Windsor-Detroit border maze

“As a government, we have a responsibility to provide every possible assurance to Canadians that we are spending their money wisely,” Cannon told delegates. “And for me, that most certainly means partnership with the private sector.

“The Government of Canada for its part intends to explore the opportunity to partner with the private sector to design, build, finance, and operate the new crossing.”

The Detroit River International Crossing study — a binational team of government officials and stakeholders — agreed in 2004 a new crossing should be built and the group is currently working to determine the best location. Environmental studies are scheduled for completion in 2007, and approvals are expected to follow in 2008.

Ideally, says Cannon, the new crossing will be open for use by the end of 2013.

“We are working closely with our partners to examine possible models for private sector involvement on both sides of the border,” Cannon said in the speech. “This will be a rather unique arrangement, involving not just two jurisdictions in Canada, but the state and federal governments in the U.S. as well.”

Cannon added that Ottawa intends to complement a potential P3 arrangement with pending legislation — Bill C-3 — that would give Ottawa more power over the construction, maintenance, sale, and operation of private international bridges and tunnels.

“The International Bridges and Tunnels Act establishes a modern and streamlined legislative framework that provides clarity and certainty…,” he said.

The Ambassador Bridge, which currently is the only commercial bridge crossing connecting Windsor and Detroit, is one of only two privately owned crossings between Canada and the U.S.

The Detroit International Bridge Co. — which is moving ahead with plans to twin the Ambassador — could also be a contender to work with the federal government on a P3.