Corrosive materials crossing bridge spark concern
Community members and business people gathered for a virtual public hearing on Wednesday to voice concern over the permission of flammable, corrosive materials crossing the Ambassador Bridge.
Following a presentation update from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), more than 70 members of the public were present for a two-hour public hearing on the Ambassador Bridge Co.’s proposal to expand transport regulations of hazardous materials.
MDOT Projects and Contracts Administration Engineer Andrea Wilcox started the hearing with a presentation updating the community on the results of MDOT’s nonradioactive hazardous materials (NRHM) traffic study.
Conducted in 2021 after the Ambassador Bridge Company’s initial request to modify the route designation, the NRHM study by Factor Inc. was ultimately inconclusive.
“The difference is not significant enough to make a compelling case for or against any changes,” Wilcox said.
U.S. congresswoman for Michigan’s District 12, Rashida Tlaib, said MDOT has a responsibility to follow federal law by voting against this proposal.
“It’s not optional, hazmat designation must enhance public safety, not harm (it) and can’t even have a neutral effect,” Tlaib said. “Allowing more hazmat on a deteriorating, narrow unsegregated bridge with inadequate fire impression that runs above our Detroit River, the source of our drinking water clearly does not enhance public safety.”
Tlaib noted the Factor Inc. study indicates in several places the risk to special populations would increase by 1%-6% and would not enhance public safety throughout the state by any means.
Several residents in the Hubbard Richards neighborhood voiced confusion with the lack of the new Gordie Howe Bridge being considered in MDOT’s study. The other bridges factored were Port Huron’s Blue Water Bridge and the now-closed Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry.
“I feel like the risk and reward is not in my favor, as a resident here, and with the Gordie Howe Brdige opening so soon it feels like an unnecessary risk,” said a resident of Hubbard Richard, Oren Brandvain. “I hope you take this seriously.”
Trucking companies present at the meeting in support of the proposal included the Ontario Trucking Association and PAM Transportation Services. Some drivers reported inefficiency with the current forced reroutes to Port Huron’s Blue Water Bridge, which can add up to 200 miles to a driver’s agenda. Others in support of the proposal said the closure of the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry in April 2023 has streamlined all hazardous trucking traffic to Blue Water Bridge, increasing travel times and costs.
MDOT’s public opinion form collected 30 responses on Wednesday, said MDOT Communications Director Jocelyn Garza, and will remain accessible online through March 31.