Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says the opening of a new bridge between Michigan and Canada is being delayed because of corrupt practices.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is awaiting approvals from certain federal agencies before it can begin operation.
But last week at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Buttigieg noted reports that President Trump blocked opening the span, after a federal official met with the owner of the competing Ambassador Bridge:
“That person put a million bucks into a pro-Trump Super PAC. And sure enough, the president of the United States is suddenly blocking a piece of infrastructure that is economically important to the country, to the state and to the region. It is as simple as that. It is corruption.”
Trump has said the U.S. should have a share of future toll money from the Gordie Howe bridge.
But Canada paid for it and has a deal to recoup those expenses from tolls before splitting it afterwards with Michigan.
