GURAGON, India — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is welcoming the decision by voters in Michigan to reject a proposal for a statewide vote on plans for any new international crossing.

The proposal called for a referendum on any plan for a new bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ont.

Were very pleased to see the support of the people of Michigan for the bridge between Detroit and Windsor, which is very important to the economies of our two countries, Harper told reporters on his Indian trade mission.

Manuel Matty Moroun, owner of the private Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, engineered the measure. It came in response to the proposed construction of a Canadian-financed bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Moroun wants instead to build a new span of his own, and he spent millions of advertising dollars to support the ballot proposal.

Gov. Rick Snyder brokered the Canadian-financed deal in June and opposed Morouns ballot measure. He calls Moroun a special interest against Michigan interests.

© 2012 The Canadian Press