In recent months, as the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge faced uncertainty, the Ambassador Bridge, privately owned and located near the Detroit River, aggressively pursued trucking companies to retain their business, according to a representative from the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA). Lak Shoan, OTA’s policy director, mentioned that they started receiving reports from a few members about the Ambassador Bridge’s outreach efforts in the spring. The OTA did not receive direct communication from the Ambassador Bridge but learned about it through member conversations.
CBC Windsor reached out to several Canadian trucking companies with cross-border operations to inquire if they had been approached by the Ambassador Bridge with toll rate proposals. Some declined to discuss private agreements, while others did not respond. However, a deleted post from a U.S. trucking union official in late July instructed members not to use the newly opened Gordie Howe bridge due to a contract with the Ambassador Bridge saving them $240,000 monthly on tolls.
Toll rates and revenue played a significant role in the political challenges to open the $6.4 billion Gordie Howe bridge, entirely funded by the Canadian government. The agreement for the bridge’s opening includes a provision enabling the U.S. government to prevent toll reductions below those of comparable regional crossings.
The Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge since 1979, increased their political influence efforts ahead of former President Donald Trump’s actions that threatened to block the new bridge’s opening. Despite delays and political tensions, the Gordie Howe bridge eventually opened on July 27, following the cancellation of a planned June opening at the U.S. government’s request.
Allegations have been made that Trump aimed to support the Morouns by obstructing the new bridge’s opening. While the Ambassador Bridge representatives did not respond to inquiries, their website indicated a discounted toll program for certain trucking companies through A-Pass Subscription Accounts based on monthly crossing estimates.
Shoan highlighted that the OTA was not privy to the specific details of the Ambassador Bridge’s offers to companies but believed it focused on retention and attracting fleets to use their bridge. He expressed support for healthy competition between the bridges, potentially leading to lower toll expenses for trucking companies.
Barrett’s Facebook post revealed financial specifics of the contract between FCA Transport and the Ambassador Bridge, with a fixed rate of $160,000 monthly under the current agreement. Stellantis, the parent company, did not confirm the exclusive toll contract for FCA Transport drivers with the Ambassador Bridge.
Stellantis emphasized the importance of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in strengthening North America’s crucial border crossing and facilitating seamless logistics for their operations in both countries. The company refrained from commenting on proprietary information as a matter of policy.
Shoan noted that amidst the uncertainty surrounding the Gordie Howe bridge’s opening, deals offered by the Ambassador Bridge would have been attractive to trucking firms seeking stability amid economic fluctuations.