Transport Canada says it's in talks to buy the Ambassador Bridge, which spans the Detroit River to connect Windsor, Ontario with Detroit.
There's no word on a price that would be paid to the current owner, Manuel "Matty'' Moroun.
“We have never solicited an offer for the bridge,” said Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Co., owner and operator of the Ambassador Bridge, in a statement. “If there is truth to the rumor that the Canadian government is interested in buying the Ambassador Bridge, we see it as an acknowledgement that we run the premier, most efficient crossing on the border at the best possible location between Detroit and Windsor.”
If it's successful in buying the bridge, Transport Canada says it would have no impact on plans for a new bridge further downriver.
The Canadian government has purchased land from the city of Windsor to help build a new six-lane bridge.
Officials have been working for years to add capacity at the world's busiest border crossing, now served by the current bridge and a tunnel that runs under the river.
Moroun, who wants to build a new span alongside the Ambassador Bridge, is opposing the plan for the second bridge at the new site.
March 15, 2010
Worldwide Automotive Report
We take a look at some interesting new innovations from Visteon.
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Detroit Public School Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb will unveil details of a new academic plan for the school district tomorrow night at Renaissance High School. He spoke live on WWJ with Mike Campbell.
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A new wrinkle in that story about the Prius owner who said his accelerator stuck while he was driving on a California highway. WWJ's Mike Campbell spoke with John McElroy about the incident.
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