The company that owns the Ambassador Bridge wants to be able to allow trucks transporting hazardous materials over the span, but it faces a lot of opposition from local governments.
Windsor Ward 2 Councillor Fabio Constante said he found out about the Ambassador Bridge Company's application from Detroit City Councilwoman Raquel Castaneda Lopez, who wrote a resolution calling on Michigan's governor to deny the request.
Constante took the matter to Windsor City Council, and on Monday, it voted unanimously to support Casteneda Lopez's resolution.
Constante told BlackburnNews.com the issue is the route trucks would take to get to the Ambassador Bridge.
"What they're looking to do is to transport hazardous materials through high-density residential neighbourhoods to get to their bridge," he said. "Going down Huron Church Road, there's many many neighbourhoods and residences. It's our very obvious and blunt view that this type of transport is not appropriate."
He said he believes the Gordie Howe International Bridge, once it is open, would be a safer choice.
Windsor City Council will send a letter expressing its opposition to the application to the Transportation Ministry in Ottawa.
Also, Windsor West MP Brian Masse has sent the Transport Minister a letter in opposition.
"One of the things that has been reassuring for me, has been the consistency-- of all levels of government," admitted Constante. "I think most, if not all, elected officials are on the same page."
This is not the first time the bridge company has applied for permission to allow the transport of hazardous materials. An application a few years ago was denied.
Currently, hazardous materials are transported across the border either through the Detroit River Rail Tunnel or the ferry.
