DETROIT – Standing alongside lawmakers from Canada and Michigan, State Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) today announced the formation of an international alliance of communities that oppose construction of a second span of the Ambassador Bridge because of its negative impact on human health and safety.
"It's become painfully clear that the Ambassador Bridge Company is continuing a pattern of disregarding for the health of a vibrant community by ignoring federal environmental protections set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act," Tlaib said. "The Ambassador Bridge Company has deliberately broken up the second span project into separate segments in order to avoid conducting an Environmental Impact Statement, which would protect our children from irreparable harm that this project will surely cause."
"It is unbelievable that this billion dollar mega-corporation has been able to begin construction on a bridge with no permits, illegally take Riverside Park (Southwest Detroit's only riverfront access), begin plans to relocate Fort Street (a key traffic artery for local residents), and attempt to take part of the I-75 service drive with impunity."
The unique cross-border alliance will help ensure the people impacted by the many negative actions of the Ambassador Bridge Company have a voice. Joining Tlaib at the announcement were Canadian Member of Parliament Brian Masse; Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr.; Windsor City Councillor Ron Jones; fellow Michigan legislators; and religious, business and community leaders from Southwest Detroit and Windsor.
"Political leaders and the media have ignored us for far too long. We are the only part of Detroit to actually grow in 50 years, only to be rewarded with indifference and neglect," Tlaib said. "We have the right to breathe, and a right to let our children play without semi trucks rumbling down residential streets. Not only did they steal our park, but they've taken shortcuts in environmental clearances that are putting our families' health at risk. Building a second span of the Ambassador Bridge will only make our air quality worse. Only after a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement – like those conducted for the Blue Water Bridge and the Detroit River International Crossing – will we know the true impact of this bridge."