Peters, Stabenow, Miller Urge Obama Administration to Support Funding for Blue Water Bridge

Statement

U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10) today wrote to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shaun Donovan urging the Administration to make the expansion of a customs plaza for the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron a high priority for funding in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget. Despite land being cleared and property demolished in Port Huron for the expansion, funding for the customs plaza construction has yet to be allocated.

"The Blue Water Bridge is a vital component of economic expansion for the communities of Port Huron, and St. Clair County; the state of Michigan, and the nation as a whole," wrote Peters, Stabenow and Miller. "As you consider your Fiscal Year 2017 budget plans, we request that you make the expansion of the Blue Water Bridge Customs Plaza in Port Huron, Michigan, a high priority by supporting the strongest possible funding of the Facility Construction and Sustainment account at U.S. Customs and Border Protection."

The Blue Water Bridge is the United States' third busiest land crossing in value of shipments. In 2011, President Obama and Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlined the Blue Water Bridge as a top priority in a plan to commit significant investments in physical infrastructure at key crossings to improve congestion and speed at U.S.-Canadian border crossings.

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