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Lack of funds holds up Blue Water Bridge plaza expansion

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) - A $145 million expansion of the Blue Water Bridge customs plaza in Port Huron has been halted due to a lack of federal funding.

The Times-Herald reports that Port Huron city leaders have been told the federal government isn't interested in continuing the project.

The update was given Friday by federal and state officials. U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Dennis Counihan says the project is not part of the agency's current five-year plan.

In 2011, budget concerns forced the then-$500 million project to be scaled back from 56 acres to 16 acres.

The Blue Water Bridge about 55 miles northeast of Detroit connects Port Huron and Ontario over the St. Clair River.

A state Transportation official told the newspaper $47 billion in goods crossed the bridge in 2011.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.