Windsor MP critical of hazardous materials transport on Ambassador Bridge

Windsor West MP Brian Masse criticized the federal and provincial governments for not better investigating the impacts of allowing more hazardous materials to be transported over the Ambassador Bridge.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) decided last week to allow Class 8 hazardous materials (corrosive substances such as battery components) on the bridge starting in October.

Class 3 material or flammable and combustible liquids are also permitted.

Masse said Michigan took good care of its residents by conducting a thorough risk assessment before making a decision.

But he says neither the provincial nor federal government has done the same for Canadians.

Decision follows proposal of the Ambassador Bridge

“There is a greater chance of toxic substances being released into fresh water and … other trucks being held up because they need an escort,” Masse said.

“It is a drag on our economy as a result of poor planning and poor analysis.”

Neither the federal nor provincial governments responded to requests for comment Tuesday evening.

Michigan’s decision follows a September 2020 proposal from the Ambassador Bridge company to allow the materials on the span.

Currently, and until the restriction is officially lifted in October, trucks transporting this material must cross the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario.

According to a November 2023 press release, the bridge corporation said it would “significantly improve safety in the state of Michigan and promote the smooth flow of international commerce in the Detroit-Windsor corridor.”

The MDOT report, released the same month, concluded that “there is a small difference in risk at the state level if the existing Class 3 and 8 restrictions are lifted; however, the difference is not significant enough to make a compelling argument for or against any change.”

According to the report, approximately 32,500 Class 3 shipments and 17,000 Class 8 shipments cross the border from the United States to Canada each year. MDOT estimated that approximately 7,000 of the Class 3 shipments and 3,000 of the Class 8 shipments would switch to using the Ambassador Bridge.

The harbour master and chief operating officer of the Windsor Port Authority said he is concerned about any collision involving hazardous materials that occurs on a bridge – whether it is the Ambassador Bridge or the Blue Water Bridge

“There is now a speck of matter or a liquid leaking out of the water and flowing over the edge into the river and the lakes,” said Peter Berry.

“It’s always a concern when there’s no reception system.”

The Blue Water Bridge is closed over Labor Day weekend due to a diesel leak from a truck, Berry said.

He wants to know where that fuel went.

He is concerned not only about the ecosystem and fisheries, but also about the integrity of the water supply, he said.

“We have water intakes for both residential and for our water supply,” he said, “but also commercial water intakes for cooling, which are vital to that industry.”

The Gordie Howe Bridge, expected to open in 2025, will have a containment system to protect the water from environmental damage from spills, he added.

Masse said he worries that the privately owned Ambassador Bridge will profit from increased traffic while Windsor taxpayers foot the bill in an emergency.

He urges the province and federal government to object to the passage of the dangerous cargo until they conduct their own assessments of the economic and environmental impacts, he said.

The restrictions will be lifted on October 29, 2024, and the movement of hazardous substances will be allowed again during off-peak hours, accompanied by vehicles.

The bridge company said in November that the fire suppression system “complies with all applicable codes, is designed to address incidents arising from all classes of hazardous materials listed above, and is regularly inspected by the Detroit Fire Department and Windsor Fire and Rescue Services.”