A conservative group against a proposed second bridge span between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario is running negative ads about the project in districts of Republicans who have not taken a stance against the bridge. They want voters to call and pressure the lawmakers to oppose Governor Rick Snyder’s bridge proposal.
Scott Hagerstrom is with Americans for Prosperity-Michigan. He says the cost of a second bridge would fall to taxpayers, unless it is paid for completely by private money.
“There may or may not be a need for another bridge, but if there is a need – the Ambassador Bridge was built with private funds in 1929, it’s been privately operated for 80 years, they’re under intense scrutiny from immigration, customs and Homeland Security, and I have not seen any complaints from Homeland Security that they’re operating improperly.”
Hagerstrom was unwilling to say whether the ad campaign against the bridge project is funded by Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun.
“I’m not endorsing the Moroun bridge, I’m saying if there is a need for another bridge, we have a private company that is willing to bear the brunt of any liabilities.”
Governor Snyder hopes to see legislation introduced this week to move forward with the second bridge project. He says the cost of the project would not fall on Michigan taxpayers.
