OTA speaks out against proposed Windsor truck tolls
The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is raising concerns about a proposal by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens to impose temporary tolls on trucks using Huron Church Road to access the Ambassador Bridge.
“I announced that the City of Windsor is requesting approval from the Provincial Government to implement a temporary toll on truck traffic using Huron Church Road to and from the Ambassador Bridge. For decades, Windsor taxpayers have carried the cost of maintaining Huron Church Road, a municipal road that handles significant cross-border truck traffic and requires constant repair. If approved by the Province, the temporary toll could begin May 1, 2026, and remain in place until the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens,” Dilkens said in a Facebook post.
OTA says the proposal would add unnecessary delays and costs along one of the busiest trade corridors between Canada and the United States.
“The proposal does not make sense from a practical perspective by adding additional stops on an already congested stretch of road,” said 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 primary commercial route linking Windsor to the Ambassador Bridge, which handles thousands of truck crossings each day between Windsor and Detroit.
OTA said imposing tolls on a route with no viable alternative would effectively penalize trucking companies and businesses that depend on efficient cross-border freight movement.
“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,” Shoan said. “Thousands of trucks cross this vital trade corridor every day, supporting the Windsor-Detroit economy.”
The association also warned the toll plan could increase congestion, create safety risks for motorists and local residents, and divert truck traffic to other border crossings such as the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia.
OTA is urging the City of Windsor to reconsider the proposal and work with government and industry stakeholders to identify solutions that support trade flows through the Windsor-Detroit gateway without adding costs to the trucking sector.
This story was updated to include Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens’ statement.
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I don’t see why it’s o/k for the city of Windsor and its residents should be the ones paying for the constant repairs on Huron Church due to the commercial traffic going thru Windsor. It’s all well and good that the OTA is complaining about this idea due to whom they represent. But the OTA does not live in Windsor, this should have been done years ago, then Matty Maroun would not be as rich as he is wanting the Gordie Howe not to open. Huron Church has been a free ride for commercial traffic for years at the expense of Windsor residents. You all want to be treated fairly?.
Huron Church Road in the city of Windsor should be almost totally under the jurisdiction of the province and should be totally maintained by the province.
The Mayor needs to change Huron Church road to a non truck route when the Gordie Howe bridge opens. Having the Ambasador Bridge confined to auto traffic only would relieve the congestion encountered on the city streets, and reduce the need to constance repairs. This would also reduce the tolls which are being charged by a private operation who tried for many years to block construction of the new bridge.
Give Your head a shake Steve, You must be joking. Do You not think the Trucking Industry isn’t already taking a Hit not to mention the Consumer, soon to feel the blunt of diesel prices around
$1.80/Litre. Surely, Your not in the legitimate Trucking Business to support or suggest those comments. Obviously You never Owned and Operated in this Business.
Bruce Doyle
Hamilton
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There is a bridge at sarnia and a new bridge that should be opened. I did own and operated trucks for 25 yrs before a insurance company did not payout after being hit from behind at 65 mph
I agree the trucking industry has been hit as harder or harder than the 2008 recession
Less cross border trucks that is a bad thing and the higher rates because of higher enforcement of safety and protection of truck drivers coverage if sick or injured is a bad thing ?
Why not just close Huron church and alternate truck routes in Windsor that wouldn’t take long to wake up the Maroons and Donald Trump !!!! F——k the Maroons and yes I have 46 years experiance in cross border trucking .
More congestion in port Huron and sarnia may put more government pressure on the decision makers these Maroons no mater how much they donate to the Republican Party should be not allowed to dictate truck revenue on their privately owned bridge crossing it is ridicules .Shut down all international truck traffic on Windsor streets entering from Michigan !!!!!
We should have tolls and setup a massive safety inspection program. Also check to make sure all cross border drivers have proper work permits and health insurance with a fee of $5 per axle to go into a truck parking fund if the truck is over 10 000 kgs that uses the current Detroit bridge. Also carry proof ownership of the power unit or paid on payroll in my opinion