The battle over a new bridge across the Detroit River broke out Thursday on separate fronts.
Gov. Rick Snyder urged business leaders in southwest Detroit to strongly support the $950-million New International Trade Crossing bridge that Michigan and the Canadian government agreed last week to build.
"I'm asking you to step up even more," Snyder said, according to the Free Press. "And make southwest Detroit a key gateway to the world."
A few hours later, Mickey Blashfield, a lobbyist for the family of Manuel (Matty) Moroun, owners of the Ambassador Bridge, said "The People Should Decide" ballot initiative has gathered more than enough signatures to get its proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot.
The group has collected more than 420,000 signatures, almost 100,000 more than needed, Blashfield said. Petition campaigns always try to turn in a cushion of signatures because they must be verified as those of registered voters.
