Transport truck fire on Ambassador Bridge evidence of hazmat risks, Windsor mayor says
While the truck fire did not involve hazardous materials, Drew Dilkens says the risk is too great
A fire on the Ambassador Bridge last week has reignited concerns about transporting hazardous materials on the bridge.
On Friday a transport truck carrying auto parts caught fire on the bridge. The driver was uninjured and the fire was put out by Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. Officials confirmed the truck was not carrying hazardous materials.
But Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says the fire is the exact reason hazardous materials should not be going over the bridge.
"I think this small fire shows that that structure is not capable of proper spill containment to deal with the effects that none of us want to see in our drinking water," he said, noting he had reviewed the Windsor Fire and Rescue report on the incident.
While the bridge, driver and travellers are all fine, Dilkens said he's worried about the water underneath.
"Twenty to 30 litres of material went into the river as a function of that particular fire," he said, noting spill containment was needed on the river as a result. "And that wasn't hazardous goods.
"So can anyone blame us for saying that we want to make sure that hazardous goods don't cross that crossing?"
A fire department spokesperson said Friday the incident was a fully involved fire in the engine compartment. The driver was not injured, and cleanup was being handled by the bridge company.
The Ambassador Bridge Company did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.
On Friday, the company said in a statement that "emergency protocols were promptly followed, ensuring the area was quickly secured and further incidents were prevented."
"We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security, and we appreciate the
support of our partners in this effort."
But Dilkens said nobody wants to experience last week's fire with the added complication of hazardous materials.
"It would be bad for our drinking water and bad for the Detroit River as a whole," he said.
Trucks carrying two new types of hazardous materials have been allowed to traverse the Ambassador Bridge since late October as a result of a decision by the Michigan Department of Transportation and a request from the bridge company. The new classes of material are Class 3, flammable liquids and Class 8, corrosive substances.
The bridge company has said its fire suppression system meets all codes and can address incidents related to these materials.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the federal Minister of Transportation, Anita Anand said Anand has met with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about the community's concerns.
"Just like the decision to change regulations on state roads was made by the State of Michigan, it's up to the Province of Ontario to take action to restrict the transport of these materials on this side of the border," the spokesperson said.
"The Province of Ontario needs to take action and block the roads to the Ambassador Bridge from being able to transport dangerous goods."
But in response, the provincial Ministry of Transportation said it does not have the authority to direct routing from the bridge, saying that responsibility lands with the municipality.
"Transportation of dangerous goods is regulated Canada-wide by the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, administered by Transport Canada," a provincial spokesperson said.
"Provincially, MTO oversees the provincial legislation, Dangerous Goods Transportation Act, which adopts the federal standards."
Dilkens noted the Ambassador Bridge doesn't have the same spill containment systems of newer bridges, including the Gordie Howe bridge set to open next year, because of its age.
He called on the government to regulate the issue.
"They keep saying that they don't have the ability to do it," he said. "If you don't have the ability today, pull your pants up, put the suspenders on, act like the big federal government that you are.
"Create the regulation that will give you the power to regulate and say no to hazardous goods crossing the Ambassador Bridge."
With files from Chris Ensing