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Canada-US bridge: Obama’s budget plan doesn’t include customs plaza cost

Detroit Canada bridge
In this 2012 artist's rendering, a proposed new bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, is shown. The U.S. government approved Friday the construction of a second bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ont., which is expected to relieve congestion and speed up trade at the busiest border crossing between the two countries. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Michigan Department of Transportation

DETROIT – U.S. President Barack Obama has failed to put money in his federal budget proposal for a customs plaza on the Detroit side of a planned $3.5 billion bridge between the city and Canada.

Obama sent his $3.9 trillion fiscal 2015 budget to Congress on Tuesday, but it doesn’t include the $250 million cost of a border inspection plaza.

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The plaza is a vital part of the planned New International Trade Crossing to link Detroit to Windsor, Ont.

The Canadian government is funding most of the bridge, expected to open in 2020.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Gary Peters calls the decision not to fund the plaza a “grave mistake.”

New International Trade Crossing coalition spokesman Tom Shields says the full $250 million isn’t needed in one year but can be spread over several years.

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