Location: Windsor - Detroit Corridor International Border Crossing – Ambassador Bridge
Issue/Source: On August 30, 2024, the Michigan Department of Transportation approved the transport of Class 3 and Class 8 hazardous materials over the Ambassador Bridge, effective October 29, 2024.
Date: May 2025
Suggested Responses
- Transport Canada has a strong regulatory regime that promotes public safety and delivers a risk-based, consistent, and effective monitoring and enforcement program.
- In addition, Transport Canada has robust safety standards and regulations, providing oversight, and giving expert advice on incidents involving dangerous goods.
- Under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, Transport Canada has established a regime that enables the safe transportation of dangerous goods by all modes across Canada.
- Transport Canada has rigorous safety regulations and standards and provides oversight and expert advice on incidents involving dangerous goods. Specifically, Transport Canada continues to conduct risk-based inspections, issue certifications, require emergency response assistance plans (ERAPs) and provide emergency response in accordance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992.
If Pressed
- While the International Bridges and Tunnels Act establishes the regulatory framework for the government to exercise oversight of international bridges and tunnels, it does not regulate the movement of commercial vehicles over or in these structures, nor what they are allowed to transport.
- The applicability of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 regulates the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes across Canada.
- Transport Canada has a robust regulatory framework for the transportation of dangerous goods. It leverages strong collaboration across federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal orders of government who also have related responsibilities relating to the movement of dangerous goods. This multijurisdictional approach is consistent with industry and international best practices.
- Transport Canada does not have authority over the Michigan Department of Transportation’s decision to lift restrictions on certain dangerous goods being transported over the Ambassador Bridge as this falls outside the department’s jurisdiction and mandate.
- Transport Canada collaborates closely with the United States Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on matters related to the transportation of dangerous goods. This partnership includes regular operational bilateral meetings and bi-annual formal meetings to exchange information, align regulatory approaches, and discuss emerging issues.
- The Department will continue to monitor the implementation of the new protocols concerning the transport of dangerous goods on the Ambassador Bridge, and when appropriate, will coordinate with Windsor officials and United States counterparts to assess any impacts on local emergency services and public safety, or the need for further safety enhancements or responses to public concerns.
Background Information
- A media article published on November 16, 2023 reported that due to the closing of the Windsor-Detroit Truck Ferry on September 20, 2023, which moved dangerous goods between the United States and Canada, the owner of the Ambassador Bridge requested the Michigan Department of Transportation to remove the restrictions of Class 3 (flammable liquids) and Class 8 (corrosive substances) across this bridge in order to improve the flow of international commerce in the Detroit-Windsor Corridor.
- The Michigan Department of Transportation launched a public comments process on the proposed changes from November 15, 2023, to December 23, 2023. This process prompted local residents and various government bodies to submit comments about concerns raised over the proposed changes. Concerns were raised around jurisdictional authority and the regulatory safety regime for the movement of dangerous goods across bridges.
- Class 3 (flammable liquids) and Class 8 (corrosive substances) include dangerous goods, such as batteries for electric vehicles, petroleum, automotive paints, battery fluid, hydrochloric acid for cleaning, and more. These products are used in manufacturing as well as household items.
- The Detroit-Windsor Highway Ferry was the only option to transport all classes of dangerous goods in the region until it ceased operations on September 30, 2023. The ferry owner was unable to secure the necessary government funding to support his business. The closest alternative for transporting all categories of dangerous goods is now the Blue Water Bridge, which is more than an hour’s drive away.
- The removal of the prohibition of Class 3 (flammable liquids) and Class 8 (corrosive substances) dangerous goods has been proposed in the past by the owner of the Ambassador Bridge, most recently in December of 2020, which prompted Transport Canada to initiate, through an external firm, an analysis of the potential risks to the Windsor-Detroit Corridor. The conclusion was that there was no increased risk to the Windsor-Detroit Corridor should these prohibitions be lifted.[KS1]
- On March 20, 2024, the Michigan Department of Transportation launched the second phase of its consultation process and hosted a virtual public hearing to address the proposed route changes.
- The Michigan Department of Transportation approved the Detroit International Bridge Company's request to ease restrictions on hazardous material transport over the Ambassador Bridge on August 30, 2024. This decision followed a six (6) month review, during which the Michigan Department of Transportation considered public input, conducted meetings with law enforcement and first responders, and evaluated safety measures. The new rules will come into effect on October 29, 2024, allowing the transport of Class 3 (flammable liquids) and Class 8 (corrosive materials) over the bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor.
- The Michigan Department of Transportation’s approval follows years of lobbying from the Detroit International Bridge Company and includes strict safety protocols. The move is intended to improve the transportation system efficacy, with officials noting it will save over 400 000 kilometers annually for trucks currently rerouting to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia.
- The Michigan Department of Transportation has outlined several safety measures accompanying the decision, including:
- Limiting hazardous material transport to off-peak hours;
- Requiring vehicle escorts; and
- Implementing an on-site fire suppression system and spill mitigation protocols.
- Former Windsor West member of parliament, Brian Masse, and Windsor Fire and Rescue Services have publicly expressed strong opposition to the decision, citing risks to public safety, the environment, and the structural integrity of the Ambassador Bridge’s fire suppression system. They have advocated for maintaining the status quo, emphasizing the risks of potential spills into the Great Lakes.
- Local opposition also focuses on the Gordie Howe International Bridge, designed to accommodate hazardous material transport, opening in 2025. Critics argue the Michigan Department of Transportation’s decision is premature, given the imminent availability of a safer alternative.
- Windsor officials have raised concerns that local emergency services, particularly Windsor’s fire department, would bear additional costs and responsibilities for responding to potential hazardous material incidents on the bridge.
- While still concerned, Windsor Fire and Rescue Services has committed to working with the Ambassador Bridge on emergency response coordination.
- In contrast, the Michigan Department of Transportation’s decision has also garnered support from several groups, including the City of Detroit, highlighting the economic benefits and improved transportation efficiency for truckers.
- Given the proximity to Windsor, Transport Canada may face questions from the public and media regarding safety protocols and the impact on cross-border relations.
- A dangerous goods inspection blitz took place on November 27, 2024, a collaboration between Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and the Canada Border Services Agency. The blitz focused on vehicular traffic transporting dangerous goods over the Ambassador Bridge at Windsor, Ontario, confirming compliance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. There was a specific focus on Class 3 and Class 8 dangerous goods. No non-compliances with respect to Class 3 and Class 8 dangerous goods were noted.