DETROIT (WKZO) -- Ford Motor Company says a new international bridge crossing between Michigan and Canada would be good for business. The State says that one out of 8 jobs in Southeast Michigan and 1 out of 7 in West Michigan rely on trade with Canada.Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood, at a twin news conference in Canada said the new crossing will improve traffic flow with direct links and reduce or eliminate congestion.The legislature is working on bills that would prohibit the use of any state money without legislative support. The Governor says he won’t need any.

It’s not clear what if any impact Marty Maroun’s petition drive to put the bridge to voters would have, or if it would pass at this point. By November the paperwork could be signed.The business community in Michigan wants a new bridge to Canada.

Doug Rothwell, the C.E.O. of Business Leaders for Michigan says it should be a no-brainer And he says the way the Governor has it structured the deal with the Federal Government, we can use the Canadian loan to leverage additional federal dollars for road improvements all over the state.He says contrary to all the commercials that have been running, it won’t cost Michigan anything, in fact Rothwell says it will bring in more money.