Windsor mayor calls 'B-S' on hands off approach to increased HAZMAT risk on Ambassador Bridge
It’s a change opposed by City of Windsor officials, but one that's happened all the same.
The Michigan Department of Transportation has officially approved the request Detroit International Bridge Company to allow some hazmat cargo to cross the Ambassador Bridge.
That has sparked worries about an environmental disaster in the Detroit River, or worse.
The change follows a technical study commissioned in June 2021, and months of consultation concerning class 3 and 8 restrictions on the bridge.
The approval reviewed the fire suppression system and spill mitigation measures in place on the bridge. Safety measures include ensuring that hazmat transport occurs in off-peak hours and with the assistance of truck escorts.
Speaking on CTV Windsor's sister station AM800, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens took aim at the federal government, claiming it is failing to act to manage the heightened hazmat risk. “They wanna just look the other way and say well it's not our responsibility. I'm calling B-S on that. It's their responsibility and it's hard for any of us to sit there and pretend that that's not the case.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at a council meeting on Sept. 9, 2024. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)
Transport Canada states it can only control regulations around hazmat products, not traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, and confirms that its safety standards are being met.
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation said that it adopts federal standards.
It points to the City of Windsor as responsible for managing its streets.
During statements in the House of Commons in early October, Windsor-West MP Brian Masse took aim at the federal and provincial governments stating, “It seems they simply don’t care, even though the City of Windsor is opposed, as are the fire department and police association and many others.”
The restrictions were eased by the Michigan Department of Transportation at the beginning of September.
- with files from CTV Windsor's Kate Otterbein
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Albertans overpaid on electricity bills for decades: report
A new report says when the province deregulated electricity generation in 2001, it forced Albertans to pay billions more for their power.
Missing B.C. teenager Jodi Henrickson at centre of upcoming documentary
Henrickson was a 17-year-old girl from Squamish who went missing after a house party on Bowen Island, during the then unusually warm summer of 2009.
An expert stands firm on his U.S. election win prediction. Here's what he says happened after
An American presidential historian is maintaining his previous prediction of a Kamala Harris presidency as the U.S. election hits the one-week mark.
B.C. judge halts woman’s medically assisted death
A B.C. judge took the extraordinary measure of preventing a woman’s medically assisted death, issuing an 11th-hour court order to halt the procedure, according to documents filed over the weekend.
Main takeaways from Saskatchewan's provincial election results
Scott Moe earned his second mandate as premier and his Saskatchewan Party held onto government for a fifth-straight majority, CTV News declared Monday night. But the party did not hold onto all its seats.
Yankees avoid World Series sweep, beating Dodgers 11-4 in Game 4
New York Yankees avoid World Series sweep, beating Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Game 4
Poilievre says it would be 'not fair' for Liberals to replace Trudeau as leader
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre thinks it would be 'not fair' for the Liberals to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau now, as in his view they are 'morally obligated' to keep him.
Big names announced as headliners for Boots and Hearts 2025
The headliners for the region’s biggest outdoor country music festival are locked in, and once again, the multi-day event has garnered big names.
'I'm ready for an election': Bloc beginning talks to topple Trudeau gov't as ultimatum expires
Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is starting to talk to other opposition parties about bringing down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government.