What the Approval of the Ambassador Bridge Expansion Means for Students in Dispatch Courses
Billions of dollars’ worth of goods pass between Canada and the USA every single year. Whether it’s by boat, rail, truck, or air, trade between Canada and the USA is essential. Since the 1920s, the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, has allowed goods to flow from one country to another by truck. However, trade has begun to outgrow the bridge, and as it ages, there’s an increased need for a newer, safer, and larger bridge.
For years, the Canadian government has been working to approve a project for a new and better bridge, but legal troubles have made getting the project off the ground a challenge. However, that all seems to be changing, as Canada just provided its approval to get the expansion project moving. If you’re considering becoming a dispatcher, read on to learn more about how the bridge could impact your future career.
The Ambassador Bridge Expansion Project Explained for Students in Dispatch Courses
The current Ambassador Bridge is privately owned by the Moroun family. After finding success with their two automotive service stations in the mid-1900s, the family purchased a bus company called Central Cartage, which grew into the huge trucking company known today as Centra Inc. After much success, the Moroun family purchased the Ambassador Bridge in the late 1970s. They had a vested interest in its success, since a significant number of their trucks used the bridge to transport goods.
In the 2000s, a government bi-national study concluded that a new bridge featuring wider shoulders, better safety features, and dedicated lanes for trucks was needed in the region. However, there was much debate about whether the new bridge should be privately owned and paid for by the Moroun family or run by the government. After years of legal disputes, the Canadian government has finally approved the Moroun family’s proposal for a privately-funded bridge expansion. Once the new Ambassador Bridge is built, the old one will be taken down.
In addition to the approval of the new privately-owned bridge, students taking a dispatcher training course should know the Canadian government is pushing forward with a public bridge called the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, which will be located just several kilometres down the river.
Students in Dispatch Careers May Notice Its Impact on Trucking Between the USA and Canada
The Ambassador Bridge is currently the busiest land crossing between the USA and Canada, with 30 per cent of all of Canada’s truck trade being driven through the crossing. As a result, the Ambassador Bridge expansion has the potential to make significant improvements for truckers using the Windsor-Detroit Gateway. The new bridge will feature six lanes, three going each way, creating an additional lane in both directions for cross-border traffic, which when combined with the upcoming public bridge, could help graduates of a dispatch course plan for quicker border crossings in the area.
The crossing will also feature FAST, NEXUS, and dedicated bus lanes. For truck drivers, 12 additional commercial inspection booths will be created, helping truckers get their shipments approved and across the border more efficiently.
President of the Canadian Trucking Alliance Stephan Laskowki notes that, “With this development, the Canadian trucking industry and supply chains on both sides of the border, which depend on fast, efficient trade, should be welcoming not just one, but two contemporary new bridges capable of supporting international trade demands in a modern economy.” He adds that, “The additions of these two new modern structures […] bodes well for the future of trade by truck between Canada and our largest trading partner.”
Do you want to begin an exciting career in the transportation industry?
Contact Automotive Training Centres to learn more about enrolling in dispatch school in Cambridge.
