The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is questioning the proposal by the Mayor of Windsor to impose temporary tolls on trucks using Huron Church Road to access the Ambassador Bridge.
The mayor has indicated the truck tolls would take effect May 1, 2026, and remain in place until the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The opening of the new international border crossing has been a major topic of bilateral discussions in recent weeks but remains on schedule to open later this year.
“The proposal does not make sense from a practical perspective by adding additional stops on an already congested stretch of road,” says Lak Shoan, OTA’s director of Policy and Industry Awareness Programs. “There could be ramifications to local businesses, the regional economy, and goods movement through a critical trade corridor.”
Huron Church Road serves as the only commercial artery linking Windsor to one of North America’s most important border crossings. The OTA stresses that introducing tolls on a route with no viable alternative would effectively penalize all businesses and the trucking industry that rely on efficient cross-border trade. Such a decision that would be counterproductive and highly disruptive for the community and business stakeholders.
“With the Gordie Howe Bridge set to open soon, any proposal to toll trucks utilizing Huron Church Road is illogical, as there is no alternative access point to the Ambassador Bridge,” said Shoan. “Thousands of trucks cross this vital trade corridor every day, supporting the Windsor-Detroit economy. Imposing additional costs at a time of economic uncertainty would directly impact local businesses and further strain supply chains.”
Businesses on both sides of the border, including trucking fleets, are already facing rising operational costs, the impact of U.S. tariffs, and ongoing Canada–U.S. trade tensions. Introducing new tolls would add financial pressure to companies that depend on efficient cross-border movement of goods between Windsor and Detroit, such as the embattled automotive sector and other businesses relying on just-in-time deliveries.
The Association is also raising concerns about potential unintended consequences of the toll collection, including:
- Increased congestion and backlogs on Huron Church Road and area highways:
- Heightened safety risks for local residents and motorists;
- Administrative and operational challenges associated with toll collection;
- Diversion of truck traffic to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, further exacerbating congestion and border delays at that crossing.
The OTA would strongly encourage the City of Windsor to reconsider the proposal and work collaboratively with all levels of government and industry stakeholders to identify solutions that are pragmatic and support the economic vitality of the Windsor-Detroit gateway without imposing unnecessary burdens on the trade and trucking community.