Company pushes for hazardous materials to be allowed on Ambassador Bridge

The owner of the Ambassador Bridge wants to see the border crossing allow hazardous materials, and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is now taking input on the change.

The Detroit International Bridge company, owner of the bridge, has proposed allowing flammable liquids and corrosive substances to be transported by truck across the bridge. The existing restrictions for explosives, infectious substances and radioactive materials would remain in place.

In a statement, the bridge companysays the change would"dramatically improve safety in the State of Michigan and enhance the smooth flow of international commerce in the Detroit-Windsor corridor."

Flammable liquids, known as Class 3 substances, are primary gas and diesel, the bridge company says. Corrosive substances, or Class 8 substances, include items commonly used to produce batteries, fertilizers, detergents and pharmaceuticals, among others.

"As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the requirement to efficiently and safely move these critical commodities through the Detroit-Windsor corridor will increase and with the closure of the Detroit-Windsor Ferry the Ambassador Bridge is in a position to meet those needs," the bridge company said.

According to the bridge company, their proposal includes safety vehicle escorts across the bridge and the petition with MDOT to make this change was filed in September 2020, which prompted the MDOT study earlier this year.

The move is expected to increase traffic on the bridge by about 0.4 to 0.86 per cent, or between 10,000 and 20,000 trucks a year.

MDOT last recommended the restrictions for flammable and corrosive liquids be lifted in 2012 but at the time, the restrictionsremained in place.

Currently, trucks carrying this material have to reroute to the Bluewater Bridge in Sarnia.

That's because the Detroit Windsor Truck Ferry ceased operations on Sept. 30, citing lack of financial viability with the decrease in truck traffic carrying hazardous materials.

Owner Gregg Ward advocated for public funding because the truck ferry was the only way to transport hazardous materials across the border between Windsor and Detroit.

"Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks go out to our customers, who trusted the Truck Ferry to provide a safe, secure, and efficient means of conveyance across the border," the company said in a statement on its website.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, scheduled to open in 2025, will allow hazardous materials across.

The department is considering public feedback, as well as the emergency response capabilities, existing infrastructure and assessment of possible exposure. According to their report, MDOT will also consult with Canadian authorities on the change.

Public consultation is now open on MDOT's webpage on hazardous material routing until Dec. 23. An MDOT spokesperson confirmed Canadians are eligible to comment.