Proposed Bridge Between Detroit and Windsor — The DRIC Problem

2157

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is accustomed to an entrepreneurial environment where business decisions are made in a rational and expeditious fashion in private industry. The motivation is continued success of an entity and increasing the value and profitability of the private entity.

When it comes to government, we deal with issues that are not necessarily of an economic nature. These issues frequently are created because of the political conflict in the varying interests of citizens of the community. Often, these interests are premised upon religious, moral, and philosophical difference, such as problems with environmental regulation and restrictions. Others are purely economic based, premised upon the notion of different tax apportionment within the community, which changes the potential for growth of the community.

The proposal for a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, often called the Detroit River International Crossing, or DRIC, offers an interesting challenge. Without question, a second bridge is needed. Since September 11, 2001, security issues have prevailed over all others. The demand for bridge use in order to increase commerce between Detroit and the eastern United States and Canada is premised, in large part, upon the transportation facility availability. In a further blog, the debate about ownership will be raised. The issues at this point are simply this: Should a second bridge be built? If so, how?

There is no question that a new bridge is required. Equally assured is the answer to the question of whether Windsor will accept another bridge cutting the city in half. The result is that a bridge will be built and should be built somewhere along the route outlined in the DRIC proposal!