Michigan DOT Turns Back Ambassador Bridge Haz-Mat Request
Thje Michigan Department of Transportation has determined that public safety would not be enhanced by allowing corrosive or flammable materials to cross the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.
by Staff
February 3, 2014
2 min to read
The Michigan Department of Transportation has determined that public safety would not be enhanced by allowing corrosive or flammable materials to cross the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.
The announcement follows eight months of reviewing public comments and after several meetings with law enforcement and emergency responders.
Ad Loading...
The owner of the span, The Detroit International Bridge Company, asked for modifications to current restrictions placed on what types of materials are allowed to cross over the Ambassador Bridge.
In making its ruling the state DOT said federal law states that changes in the routing of hazardous materials should be granted if the change enhances public safety. After getting feedback from law enforcement, first responders, federal agencies and Canadian officials, the department says it determined that "no net improvement to public safety would result from granting the modifications requested by the DIBC."
State law designates Michigan DOT as the agency responsible for making the determination as to where non-radioactive hazardous materials cannot be carried. It commissioned a technical study which culminated in a synopsis report that examined all four locations in Detroit.
Ad Loading...
DIBC issued a statement saying that Gov. Rick Snyder is punishing the Ambassador Bridge for opposing the New International Trade Crossing, which is a planned second span in the Detroit area connecting with Canada that will be publicly-owned.
“Snyder is well aware that all of the roads connecting to the Ambassador Bridge already allow for the carriage of these types of freight and more. But those are only the facts and not the politics,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, Snyder has placed our state in a bad legal position and we will be forced to seek judicial review.”
Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.
ATA’s Women In Motion Council and Trucker Path highlight three truck stops that meet all seven safety-focused criteria and rank highest among female drivers.
Western Star is expanding its Star Nation Experience in 2026, adding new competitions and dealer participation to highlight operator skills and promote careers in trucking.
CarriersEdge announced the 2026 Best Fleets to Drive For overall winners, with Crawford Trucking, Fortigo Freight Services, and FTC Transportation receiving top awards.
The Department of Labor plans to expand Pell Grant eligibility to some shorter workforce training programs, a move the American Trucking Associations said will help strengthen commercial driver training schools and diesel technician training programs.
For an industry that has watched this issue go back and forth for years, the independent contractor proposal marks the latest swing in the regulatory pendulum.
America’s Service Line adopted Link’s SmartValve and ROI Cabmate systems to address whole-body vibration, repetitive strain, and driver turnover. The trucking fleet is already seeing measurable results.