DETROIT (AP) – Michigan’s congressional Democrats are backing the construction of a second bridge linking Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, in Canada.

Rep. John Conyer’s office said Wednesday that a letter supporting passage of legislation authorizing the construction of the New International Trade Crossing project was sent to Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger and other state lawmakers.

The letter is from Conyers and fellow Reps. Hansen Clarke, John Dingell, Gary Peters, Sander Levin and Dale Kildee. They say the state “desperately needs” 10,000 construction jobs associated with the project and $2 billion in federal matching highway funds.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder supports the bridge, which would compete with the privately owned Ambassador Bridge. Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel “Matty” Moroun instead backs another span across the Detroit River run by his company.

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