A Little River Bridge But A Big Splash

A loyal reader who, for obvious reasons, must remain nameless reminded me of this story.

I am sure that you saw the story in the Star in relation to the Little River Bridge, what the Star called the "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE.

Clearly something odd is going on.

• "City vows bridge will open
  Roseann Danese,Tuesday, May 09, 2006
  
  A long-awaited bridge that will take commuters to their homes on the city's far east side will be open by year's end, city officials promise...
  
  A $4-million bridge that crosses Little River was installed last year. The span is part of an $8.8-million extension of Wyandotte, from Riverdale to -- eventually -- Banwell Road. The bridge features two car lanes plus bike routes, with the potential for expansion to four lanes.
  
  Construction of the project stopped, however, after the bridge's arches were installed late last year. And because it's taken a long time for the work to resume, rumours started to circulate in the neighbourhood about the structural stability of the bridge.
  
  BRIDGE 'OVERDESIGNED'
  
  Palanacki dispelled questions about the bridge's soundness. "This bridge, if anything, is over designed," he said.
  
  The delay was the result of "funding shortfalls" and difficulties acquiring the property.
  
  The city's long-term goal is to have drivers use Wyandotte instead of Riverside Drive..."
  
  The multimillion-dollar Wyandotte extension is one of many projects aimed at fixing the city's roads and sewers. In total, almost $60 million will be spent this year on infrastructure projects throughout the city.
  
  "It's almost double what we've spent in the last few years," Palanacki said."
  
  

There are certain "buzz" words in the story that should have tweaked your interest and told you that more is really going on: long-awaited bridge, take commuters to their homes, potential for expansion, structural stability, BRIDGE 'OVERDESIGNED,' funding shortfalls, long-term goal, infrastructure projects, aimed at fixing the city's roads.

If I had talked about a bridge and used that language in a BLOG, what would immediately have jumped into your mind: the new bridge border crossing!

I already speculated about a deal to change the name of the about to be sold "Fort Frances" bridge to the "Fort (Eddie) Francis" bridge if Windsor were to take over that bridge in Northern Ontario. [BLOG March 15, 2006 Fort Frances Bridge] The Fort Frances Mayor said "We absolutely want to see it go into public hands...We do understand there may be another party interested in the bridge..."

Now it can be revealed. The Little River Bridge was part of the in camera Megaproject Master PLAN that few know about. Yes, dear reader, you heard it here first. The reason for the delay in the construction of the Bridge is so that our Mayor can complete his investigation in how to do a major sale/lease deal of the this bridge perfectly as preparation for his hostile take-over bids for the Fort Frances Bridge, the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel, the Ambassador Bridge and the Blue Water Bridge! The Mackinac Bridge may be part of this too! (After all, Eddie is now part of "the Big Five" area political leaders who will be speaking at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference) Eddie wants to be the Ultimate Border Operator of SW Ontario. Think I am kidding---re-read the section in the Schwartz Report that talked all about it:

• Balanced Traffic between Blue Water Crossing and Windsor-Detroit Crossings.
  
  Developing a balanced traffic network between the Sarnia-Port Huron and Detroit-Windsor Crossings would provide benefits without a new crossing but would be compatible with any of the new crossings. Essentially it means adopting acceptable levels of service guidelines at all facilities as a goal and maintaining the goal, as best possible, through Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) measures, policies, directing trucks after they are screened and pricing strategies. It sets aside the profit-motive, which means each facility is competing for the most traffic, with a utilitarian-motive: the greatest good for the greatest number. Such a scheme may require revenue sharing among participants.
  
  Authorities should consider rerouting long-haul trucks, originating from London or points east... Measures to re-route could be mandatory by pre-processing trucks at London and rerouting 30% to Blue Water Bridge or voluntary by using variable message signs and other forms of communications to long haul truckers.

You know how long it takes Eddie to do anything...forever. The licensing deal for the Roots clothing took 2 years. So something major like this would take much longer. I reckon the planning has been in the works since before the signing of the Phase 1 Agreement with the Senior Levels. Eddie made a tactical error by going public on the infamous Agenda Item #5 but pulled back into the safe and secure in camera cocoon when opposed by 16 citizen groups.

Word was out that there was to have been be an "informal" roundtable meeting a few weeks ago that the Mayor called with groups who supported him on his failed Schwartz Plan (don't these people ever learn) such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (but not the Windsor local), CAW, CME, OTA, car companies, etc. As well, the Ontario and Federal Governments had been asked to attend. That meeting was called off I was told.

There was no doubt that the Mayor and those groups were to have pressured the Governments to release Dwight's $500 million "Gong Show" money earlier than 2010 and to leave a good chunk of the Federal Government's recent Budget announcement of $5.5 billion over four years infrastructure money in Windsor.

It's all part of the Plan. Little River first, then the world!