SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. (April 20, 2004) — The International Bridge Administration at the Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.-Michigan border crossing will issue pre-certification permits to eligible hazmat commercial drivers, allowing them to bypass a recently-enacted escort policy for certain loads.

The escort policy — enacted for overweight/oversize and hazmat vehicles by the bridge operator in January 2004 — requires the driver of all placarded vehicles and trucks over 12 feet in width and more than 144,000 pounds to contact the bridge before reaching the bridge plaza to arrange for an escort. The fee for escort is $100 to be paid in addition to the toll charge.

A permit allows a driver to cross the International Bridge without an escort, and without a fee, provided the driver participates in a training program. Applications for the permit are available from the IBA Operations Supervisor located in the Administration Building control tower. Drivers of the following placarded vehicles are eligible: flammable gases (Hazard Class); non- flammable, non-toxic compressed gasses (Hazard Class 2); and flammable liquids (Hazard Class 3).