DETROIT -- Steelcase is among West Michigan businesses supporting the proposed New International Trade Crossing that would connect Detroit and Windsor, ON.

According to buildtheric.com, other Michigan business backers include Amway, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Kellogg, Meijer and Toyota.

The cost of the proposed $4 billion-plus bridge, which would be built over the Detroit River, would be split between Michigan, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Canada. Bridge supporters say the project would create approximately 10,000 construction jobs.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is seeking approval from the state legislature.

Supporters on both sides of the U.S. and Canadian border say the current Ambassador Bridge and tunnel crossing are "too congested" and will not adequately handle future estimates of double or triple vehicle traffic.

Bridge backers say Michigan leads all other U.S. states with exports to Canada valued at $15.7 billion a year.

Posted by Rich Christianson