In 2017, the Government of Canada issued an international Bridge and Tunnels Act (IBTA) permit to the Canadian Transit Company (CTC). The IBTA permit authorized, subject to certain conditions, the construction of a “Replacement bridge” and improvements to the Ambassador Bridge’s existing Canadian plaza described in the IBTA permit as the “Canadian border services facilities work.” A copy of the permit can be viewed here. The IBTA permit was issued after an extensive multi-year environmental process. CTC’s Canadian Environmental Documents can be viewed here. Ultimately, that process resulted in an Environmental Assessment Screening Report (EASR) issued by Transport Canada concluding that “the Project is not likely to cause a significant adverse environmental effect.” The EASR can be viewed here. Currently, CTC is not planning a Replacement bridge; however, CTC is planning the Canadian border services facilities work. As part of that work, CTC will be engaging with the Community regarding the Canadian border services facilities work. CTC is setting up a Project information Center and will be convening a Community Advisory Committee. Please be on the lookout for additional information soon!
May 15, 2025 Update
CTC is undertaking certain pre-construction activities on and around the Ambassador Bridge. This includes the demolition of houses in the project footprint and the partial demolition of the structure known as the West Ramp. The process for demolishing the houses includes pre-demolition abatement of hazardous materials, disconnecting utilities, applying for demolition permits, fencing the demolition site, actual demolition, removing materials, re-grading and seeding the property and closing the demolition permit with the City. As of May 16, 2025, 18 houses in the footprint have been demolished. A map delineating the project footprint can be found here. An article regarding the demolition of the houses can be read here. We are extremely pleased to make progress on demolishing vacant houses in Sandwich. The process for demolishing the West Ramp included consultation with the City of Windsor and Transport Canada and obtaining permits to work on the sidewalk on Wyandotte. That work began on May 5, 2025 and is scheduled to last eight weeks. The scope of the West Ramp demolition can be viewed here.
