(Today’s Trucking)
The President of the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) linking Sarnia, Ont. and Port Huron, Mich. says he has no problem with a proposed new public-private bridge in nearby Windsor-Detroit.
In a letter to Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) officials at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, BWB President and CEO Chuck Chrapko reiterated the crown corporation's support for the DRIC project, adding that the Sarnia-Port Huron border point would be largely unaffected by an additional crossing at the Detroit-Windsor Gateway. Read more here.
Showing posts with label Bluewater Bridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bluewater Bridge. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, November 16, 2009
OTA Asks Michigan DOT to Reconsider Blue Water Bridge Toll Hikes
(Trucknews.com)
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is threatening to increase tolls for northbound commercial vehicles crossing the Blue Water Bridge from US$1.75 per axle to US$3.25/axle. The proposed toll increase is not sitting well with the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) which is lobbying MDOT to reconsider.
“OTA recognizes the need for infrastructure improvement at the Blue Water Bridge. However, a more incremental cost recovery system that allows for adequate pre-planning plan is a more palatable approach and would visit less disruption and hardship on all concerned than a one-time massive hit,” said OTA president David Bradley.
The OTA acknowledged that toll increases have not increased at the Blue Water Bridge since 1997 and that the tolls collected on the Canadian side are higher than in the US. However, Bradley said “These facts are self-evident but timing and approach are all wrong. OTA considers it entirely unreasonable and inappropriate that an 85% price hike would be imposed in one fell swoop, with such short notice. Given the current economic times, and the stress that has already been imposed on Michigan-Ontario trade increases of this magnitude are untimely to say the least.”
The OTA pointed out to the MDOT that over 80% of Michigan’s exports to Canada move by truck and that the increase could add US$8 million per year in transportation costs to the state’s exports. Read more here.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is threatening to increase tolls for northbound commercial vehicles crossing the Blue Water Bridge from US$1.75 per axle to US$3.25/axle. The proposed toll increase is not sitting well with the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) which is lobbying MDOT to reconsider.
“OTA recognizes the need for infrastructure improvement at the Blue Water Bridge. However, a more incremental cost recovery system that allows for adequate pre-planning plan is a more palatable approach and would visit less disruption and hardship on all concerned than a one-time massive hit,” said OTA president David Bradley.
The OTA acknowledged that toll increases have not increased at the Blue Water Bridge since 1997 and that the tolls collected on the Canadian side are higher than in the US. However, Bradley said “These facts are self-evident but timing and approach are all wrong. OTA considers it entirely unreasonable and inappropriate that an 85% price hike would be imposed in one fell swoop, with such short notice. Given the current economic times, and the stress that has already been imposed on Michigan-Ontario trade increases of this magnitude are untimely to say the least.”
The OTA pointed out to the MDOT that over 80% of Michigan’s exports to Canada move by truck and that the increase could add US$8 million per year in transportation costs to the state’s exports. Read more here.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Highway 402 Single Lane Mitigation Plan
(BWBC)
August 6, 2009 meeting with Blue Water Bridge Canada, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ontario Provincial Police Blue Water Bridge Canada (BWBC) together with its partners U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) met today (Thursday, August 6th) in an effort to work together to help mitigate, as much as possible any delays and safety issues as it relates to traffic approaching the Blue Water Bridge. Due to Sarnia City Council’s decision not to grant a noise exemption to the Ministry of Transportation for night work, the Highway will at times be single lane to allow construction of the Highway 402 Phase One Improvements.
“Blue Water Bridge Canada and the Michigan Department of Transportation are fortunate to have an excellent relationship with the local O.P.P., and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the local, regional and national level” states Stan Korosec Vice President of Operations for Blue Water Bridge Canada. “Today we came up with a plan to help mitigate the type of delays experienced on Tuesday August 4th due to the single lane of traffic.
In addition to the constant communication that occurs daily between BWBC and CBP, new protocols were developed with respect to lane allocations and traffic management that we feel will help to ensure the safe and efficient flow of both cars and trucks at this vital trade link between Canada and the United States. Although these steps will assist in the safe and efficient flow of traffic, there will still be periods where extensive queues of traffic will exist.”
August 6, 2009 meeting with Blue Water Bridge Canada, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ontario Provincial Police Blue Water Bridge Canada (BWBC) together with its partners U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) met today (Thursday, August 6th) in an effort to work together to help mitigate, as much as possible any delays and safety issues as it relates to traffic approaching the Blue Water Bridge. Due to Sarnia City Council’s decision not to grant a noise exemption to the Ministry of Transportation for night work, the Highway will at times be single lane to allow construction of the Highway 402 Phase One Improvements.
“Blue Water Bridge Canada and the Michigan Department of Transportation are fortunate to have an excellent relationship with the local O.P.P., and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the local, regional and national level” states Stan Korosec Vice President of Operations for Blue Water Bridge Canada. “Today we came up with a plan to help mitigate the type of delays experienced on Tuesday August 4th due to the single lane of traffic.
In addition to the constant communication that occurs daily between BWBC and CBP, new protocols were developed with respect to lane allocations and traffic management that we feel will help to ensure the safe and efficient flow of both cars and trucks at this vital trade link between Canada and the United States. Although these steps will assist in the safe and efficient flow of traffic, there will still be periods where extensive queues of traffic will exist.”
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