Michigan voters nix Prop 6

Proposal Six and the Proposed Crossing

by Daniel Licata
Michigan residents voted no on proposal six Nov. 6, leaving the decision to build the New International Trade Crossing in the hands of the government.
The project would provide jobs to both sides for up to five years, as well as lifting heavy truck traffic from Huron Church Road.
“It’s clear that the people of Michigan saw through the outrageous claims that were recklessly tossed around by those who were bankrolling the proposal,” said Ken Silfven, deputy press secretary for Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.
The proposal was added to the ballot by the Michigan Supreme court in September. Political action group The People Should Decide, backed by the Ambassador Bridge Company, spent approximately 20 times more than the opposition, Taxpayers against Monopolies.
The People Should Decide raised $31 million and spent over $20 million on advertisements to push the proposal through. Taxpayer’s Against Monopolies raised more than $900,000 and spent just over $86,000.
“We will proceed with the original agreement,” said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis in response to the defeat of proposal six.
The agreement ‘The Bridge Deal’ made in August between the United States and Canada outlined the location and cost of the crossing. The Canadian side would connect Highway 401 to the Detroit River. The cost could be as much as $4 billion and take up to five years to build.
Outlined in the agreement to ease Michigan residents, the Canadian government has foot the $550 million for Michigan’s share of the road leading up to the new crossing.
Francis said there was not really any interference from the Canadian government.
“We can now move forward in partnership with our Canadian friends and build this international crossing so we can grow our economy, create jobs and protect our economic security,” said Silfven. “As expected, the truth won out in the end.”
Calls to the Ambassador Bridge Company were not returned.