DETROIT An intriguing international duel is occurring here over plans to build an expensive new bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ont. The owners of the Ambassador Bridge have requested $1 billion in tax-exempt bonds from the state of Michigan to help finance a six-lane, twin span across the Detroit River.

The request was denied last month after the state panel in charge of the decision did not have enough members present for an official vote.

The Michigan Strategic Fund voted 5-1 in favor of Ambassador owner Matty Moroun's application. However, at least six yes votes are needed to okay the bonds. Five panel members did not show for the meeting.

John Czarnecki, director of program administration for the fund, told a Detroit newspaper the bridge company can reapply. He offered to waive the $1,000 application fee and said it could be back on the agenda by late this month.

The president of the Ambassador Bridge, Dan Stamper, was quoted as saying his group intends to move forward with its plan with or without the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The company wants to construct a crossing about 100 feet west of the current Ambassador. The company says it has spent $400 million securing land and preliminary work on bridge plaza and toll booth expansions.

Meanwhile, Transport Canada says its putting some money behind its promise to establish a public-private partnership to build a bridge from southwest Windsor, Ont. to Detroit.

At a press conference in Windsor, Federal Transportation Minister Lawrence Cannon announced his Conservative government will make $400 million available for a new international crossing.

Cannon added, however, that Ottawa is still looking for private investors to step up to get the project 'up and running' by 2013.

The proposed Canadian bridge, which is being touted by the Detroit River International Crossing -- a bi-national group of politicians, bureaucrats and stakeholders also is being designed to be built a few kilometers west of the Ambassador Bridge.