Blight-clearing begins for new bridge to Canada

Clearing of the first blighted properties to make way for a new bridge to Canada began Wednesday in southwest Detroit, Gov. Rick Snyder’s office announced.

The New International Trade Crossing, to provide a third, trucking-friendly connection between Detroit and Windsor, is anticipated to give the region a substantial financial boost.

“The NITC will energize the turnaround of Detroit and our entire state,” Snyder said in the announcement on the state website. “It means jobs for families, modern infrastructure that attracts investment, and greater security for Michigan and America. The clearing of this land is the latest phase of this exciting project, which is right on track and moving forward.”

It’s one of many steps underway to make the large-scale project a reality. The permit from the U.S. Coast Guard was granted earlier this year. In July, appointments were announced to oversee the bridge’s construction.

Freshly-scraped pavement and disturbed soil, apparently part of the blight-clearing effort, was visible Wednesday evening along South Post Street and South Crawford Street near West Jefferson Avenue. This week, three publicly-owned, blighted structures are to be cleared; two on those streets and one on South Reid Street.

Some nearby homes remain occupied, while others are burned out and in varying states of decay. Earlier Wednesday, a fire ripped through the vacant Delray Cafe at South Post Street and West Jefferson.