The Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry, which transports hazmat and oversize loads across the Detroit River between Windsor and Detroit, could close in the next few months, the ferry’s owner tells Truck News.
He told other media in Canada and ate US he expects to close the ferry in four to six months, without funding.
Ferry operator Gregg Ward tells Truck News there’s been a general decline in traffic and he doesn’t believe Covid-19 and lockdowns over a year ago has played a significant role, adding there’s no “no logical reason” for the drop in traffic, assuming “local” operator hazmat carriers used the ferry as required.
The ferry exists because hazmat and oversize loads are banned from the Ambassador Bridge. They will be allowed on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge when it opens.
He tells TN he has lost about 65% of the 14,000 local operator moves he expects a year.
He said it doesn’t make economic sense for the trucks to drive the additional 105 miles in Canada or 65 miles in the U.S. from Windsor-Detroit to Sarnia-Port Huron.
“There’s no way someone will choose to go through the Blue Water Bridge for that cost for a local delivery,” he said.
Ward is asking provincial, state, and federal governments for a total of US$160,000 to make up the revenue stream.
Brian Masse, NDP MP for Windsor, where the ferry dock is located, has called on federal ministers for infrastructure and transport to accede to Ward’s request.
“With the new Gordie Howe Bridge opening in the near term if the present schedule is maintained, some of the need for redundancy will be established but the (ferry) provides additional capacity and flexibility that would potentially still be required,” he wrote.
Full story here.