US finalizing deal with Canada to build Detroit bridge plaza

DETROIT (AP) - A Michigan lawmaker says the U.S. and Canada are close to working out a deal for financing a planned $2.1 billion bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said Tuesday that the Canadian government will likely agree to pay for a $250 million customs plaza. She said the U.S. government could offer to reimburse Canada through toll revenue collected on the New International Trade Crossing, which will span the Detroit River and connect the two cities.

A Canadian newspaper reported Tuesday that a tentative deal between Ottawa, Washington and the state of Michigan calls for vehicle tolls to fund the toll plaza.

The Detroit News (http://bit.ly/1CsXx6i ) says financing discussions are still ongoing, and a formal announcement is expected to be made next month.

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Information from: The Detroit News, http://detnews.com/