Kilpatrick Supports Alternate Border Crossing That's Meets the Approval of Federal, State and Local Requirements

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Kilpatrick Supports Alternate Border Crossing That's Meets the Approval of Federal, State and Local Requirements

Detroit - Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (13th District, MI), along with the Department of Transportation are still awaiting answers to questions requested of the organizers of the Detroit River Tunnel Project. "Another border crossing is needed to alleviate the congestion on the Ambassador Bridge since new issues of security and commercial traffic have arisen since September 11, 2001.

"I support another crossing to move imports and exports at the U.S./Canadian border more efficiently. However, there are some very important issues that need to be addressed," said Congresswoman Kilpatrick.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is the entity that will make the decision on whether this project will proceed. U.S.DOT has asked the following questions:

* How will this tunnel connect trucks to the I-75 freeway?

* What will be the transportation routes through the Mexicantown, Corktown and Bagley Housing communities?

* What are the health risks for the citizens in the area?Dr. Robbins of the University of Michigan performed a joint study with the City of Detroit on increased asthma cases from diesel emissions. The results of the study showed that the proposed location for the tunnel project is in an area that has the highest incidence of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The study performed by DRTP organizers did not consider how the health of the nearby residents would be affected.

Both Congresswoman Kilpatrick and the Federal Highway Administration have failed to receive answers from the Detroit River Tunnel Project. Organizers have not explained how Detroit would benefit from this project after bearing the brunt of the cost and having its neighborhoods totally disrupted.

"I am concerned about the quality of life for those people residing in the proposed area of the DRTP. I will to continue to work with USDOT to find proposal that will ease the burdens of the commercial traffic crossing the border, and will not become a health risk to nearby residents. "The best solution to this problem would be for the automakers to move the factories back to Detroit," added Congresswoman Kilpatrick.

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