Former Gov. Rick Snyder Pushed the Gordie Howe Bridge Through and Now He Wants to Walk Across It Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder reflected on his role in advancing the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a project that faced significant political and private-sector opposition during his tenure. The bridge, set to open soon, represents a major infrastructure milestone for the region, with Snyder emphasizing its importance for economic growth and connectivity. He described the project as a priority from his first day in office, despite resistance from powerful interests, including the Moroun family, who owned the Ambassador Bridge and spent tens of millions of dollars to block its construction. Snyder recounted how the Morouns launched a 2012 ballot initiative to stop the bridge, while also influencing Michigan’s legislature to oppose funding. Despite these challenges, he secured Canada’s financial support for the project, which was signed into an agreement in 2012. Canada provided the majority of the $4.7 billion cost, with repayment expected through tolls. Construction began in 2018, and the bridge now includes six lanes of highway-to-highway traffic, along with pedestrian and bicycle access, as part of a broader effort to modernize the Detroit River crossing. Snyder highlighted the bridge’s potential to foster better relations, create jobs, and boost prosperity for communities on both sides of the border. He also addressed concerns about President Donald Trump’s potential interference, calling the idea of blocking the bridge’s opening a missed opportunity for trade cooperation. “This is a deal President Trump would have been really happy if he would have done when he was back in the real estate business,” Snyder remarked.#canada #detroit_river #rick_snyder #gordie_howe_bridge #moroun_family
Tornado warnings expire in southeast Michigan. What we know The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings across southeast Michigan as severe storms moved through the region on Saturday evening. All warnings were lifted by 7 p.m., with the last alerts expiring at that time. The initial warnings covered Dearborn, Taylor, and Dearborn Heights until 6:15 p.m., while Monroe, South Monroe, and West Monroe had their alerts in place until 6:30 p.m. Additional warnings were active for Warren, Sterling Heights, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, and Eastpointe until 7 p.m. At 5:48 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Belleville, approximately 7 miles southeast of Ypsilanti, moving northeast at 45 mph. Radar detected rotation within the storm, prompting urgent alerts. By 5:55 p.m., the storm had shifted to Romulus, still moving northeast at the same speed, with rotation confirmed. This prompted warnings for communities including Taylor, Romulus, Dearborn, Wyandotte, and Greenfield Village, with impacts expected around 6 p.m. Additional areas such as Inkster, Wayne, Melvindale, and Westland were also in the storm’s path. A separate tornado warning was issued for Monroe County, covering Monroe, South Monroe, and West Monroe, with similar severe conditions possible through 6:30 p.m. The third warning extended to parts of Macomb and Oakland counties, including Warren, Sterling Heights, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, and Eastpointe until 7 p.m. The warnings also included several major roadways, such as stretches of Interstate 75 between mile markers 35 and 44, Interstate 275 between 13 and 21, Interstate 94 between 188 and 209, Interstate 96 near mile marker 183, and M-39 between 6 and 10.#national_weather_service #michigan #federal_emergency_management_agency #gretchen_whitmer #detroit_river
