DETROIT (WXYZ) — Trucks carrying hazardous materials may be allowed to cross the Ambassador Bridge under a proposal from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
According to MDOT, they received a formal request from the Detroit International Bridge Co., the owners of the bridge, to modify the current restrictions.
Currently, trucks carrying any explosives (class 1), flammable liquids (class 3), infectious substances (division 6.2), radioactive materials (class 7) and corrosive substances (class 8) cannot cross the bridge.
The proposed changes requested from the DIBC would keep existing restrictions for explosives, radioactive materials and infectious substances, but would allow flammable liquids (class 3) and corrosive substances (class 8) to be transported over the Ambassador Bridge.
DIBC released a statement saying in part:
"The Ambassador Bridge is fully equipped to handle Class 3 and Class 8 hazardous materials. The Ambassador Bridge has handled Class 2 (gases), Class 4 (flammable solids), Class 5 (oxidizers and organic peroxides), Class 6, except Class 6.2, (poisonous materials) and Class 9 (miscellaneous) for decades without incident. Under the Ambassador Bridge’s proposal, Class 3 and Class 8 truckloads will be escorted across the bridge by safety vehicles. The fire suppression system on the Ambassador Bridge meets all applicable codes, is designed to address incidents arising from all of the foregoing Classes of hazardous materials and is regularly inspected by the City of Detroit Fire Department and the City of Windsor Fire and Rescue Services."
Neighbors in the Hubbard Richard area say they're concerned that if the trucks carrying the materials or somehow spill, there will be impacts to neighbors.
"I understand that this stuff needs to be transported. My only thing is it needs to be properly regulated, properly maintained and properly transported," said Fabian Garza who lives near the bridge. "We’re the ones who are really going to be affected by this kind of stuff and the people who are telling us don’t worry about it, are not going to be affected. It’s super easy to tell someone not to worry about it if you’re not going to be affected by it if it goes bad."
MDOT is asking anyone who wants to voice their opinion to submit public comments by Dec. 23 using the online comment form, MDOT's hazaradous materials routing page, by mail or by sending an e-mail to MDOT Public Involvement Specialist and Hearings Officer Monica Monsma at MonsmaM@Michigan.gov.
Currently, trucks carrying hazardous materials have two options to cross into Michigan or Canada - through the Blue Water Bridge near Port Huron and the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry.
According to an MDOT study, approximately 15% of certain hazardous material shipments would be rerouted from the Blue Water Bridge and 100% of shipments from the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry.
According to the state, class 3 flammable liquids are "liquids, or mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension (e.g., paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc.) that give off flammable vapors at or below 60 degrees Celsius (flashpoint)." Class 8, corrosive substances, "are substances which, by chemical action, will cause severe damage when in contact with living tissue or, in the case of leakage, will materially damage, or even destroy other goods or means of transport."
The study earlier this year said that while the change would reduce transit times and local exposure, "the Ambassador Bridge itself is considered critical infrastructure and an explosion could damage the bridge, cause injuries or death, and cause significant economic disruption and loss."
It does say that some bridges across the U.S. do allow explosives to be transported across if escorts are used, which may reduce the probability of an explosion but would not change the consequences of one. DIBC says if the restriction is lifted, each truck carrying the previously banned materials would receive a safety escort.
In 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a proposal that would have allowed hazardous materials to be transported over the bridge. It was included as part of a COVID-19 relief bill, and she used a line-item veto to stop it.
