DETROIT, MI — City Council has set a Monday special session to discuss the proposed sale of land for construction of a new bridge across the Detroit River to Windsor, reports the Associated Press.
Land acquisition remains one of the few hurdles left standing in the way of building the long-awaited North American International Trade Crossing.
Canada plans to cover most of the cost of building the $2.1 billion bridge. Toll money from the U.S. side would then go toward repayment.
U.S. State Department approval was granted last year and the final Coast Guard permit came last month.
Council on Monday will consider selling 301 city-owned properties needed for the project to the Michigan Land Bank for $1.4 million, according to the A.P.
Officials in Ottawa and in Michigan are also awaiting a $250 million promise from Washington to build a customs plaza on the U.S. side.
The bridge would be a second commuter span between Detroit and Windsor.
Officials hope to open the bridge in 2020.
The owner of the existing Ambassador Bridge has opposed construction of a publicly owned second span.
