Gov. Whitmer on Ambassador Bridge closure: ‘My message is simple: Reopen traffic on the bridge’ Gretchen Whitmer says ongoing bridge closure is ‘unacceptable’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement Thursday calling on Canadian authorities to resolve the Ambassador Bridge closure.
As the demonstration by truck drivers protesting Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate stretches into its fourth day , it’s disrupting Michigan’s economy, including the automotive industry, manufacturing, agriculture and more, according to the governor.
VIEW : Aerial video shows trucks backed up for miles and miles at Blue Water Bridge to Canada
Here’s Whitmer’s full statement to Canadian authorities :
“My message is simple: Reopen traffic on the bridge.
“In Michigan, our economy continues to grow because of our hardworking people and innovative small businesses. Now, that momentum is at risk. Commercial traffic is at a standstill at the Ambassador Bridge and heavily backed up at the Blue Water Bridge.
“The blockade is having a significant impact on Michigan’s working families who are just trying to do their jobs. Our communities and automotive, manufacturing and agriculture businesses are feeling the effects. It’s hitting paychecks and production lines. That is unacceptable.
“The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest land border crossing in North America, used by tens of thousands of commuters and truck drivers carrying hundreds of millions of dollars of goods every day. Countless Michiganders rely on this daily flow of goods and people to get things done.
“It is imperative that Canadian local, provincial, and national governments de-escalate this economic blockade. They must take all necessary and appropriate steps to immediately and safely reopen traffic so we can continue growing our economy, supporting good-paying jobs and lowering costs for families.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Copyright 2022 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Derick Hutchinson headshot
Derick is the Digital Executive Producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.
NAACP Detroit calls on Congress to halt ICE funding ▶ 0:28
NAACP Detroit calls on Congress to halt ICE funding
Did you know this about Michigan Humane? ▶ 0:48
Did you know this about Michigan Humane?
'National Shutdown' planned over ICE killings ▶ 1:03
'National Shutdown' planned over ICE killings
Trying the Josh & Jase special ▶ 1:45
Trying the Josh & Jase special
Weather disrupts Oakland County funeral transport ▶ 0:26
Weather disrupts Oakland County funeral transport
Americans' life expectancy climbs to 79 years ▶ 0:27
Americans' life expectancy climbs to 79 years
Don't get out of the car if you're stranded ▶ 0:27
Don't get out of the car if you're stranded
Crews battle apartment fire in Southfield ▶ 1:06
Crews battle apartment fire in Southfield
SB I-75 at 7 Mile reopens following multi-car crash ▶ 1:12
SB I-75 at 7 Mile reopens following multi-car crash
Detroit renters left without running water for weeks ▶ 1:27
Detroit renters left without running water for weeks
Detroit faces 50+ water main breaks in freezing temps ▶ 1:01
Detroit faces 50+ water main breaks in freezing temps
Donkey on the loose in Oakland County ▶ 0:41
Donkey on the loose in Oakland County
Ann Arbor joins Sterling Heights in opposing ICE ▶ 1:06
Ann Arbor joins Sterling Heights in opposing ICE
Detroit home fully engulfed in flames ▶ 0:51
Detroit home fully engulfed in flames
Snow squall moves through Downtown Detroit ▶ 0:54
Snow squall moves through Downtown Detroit
Crews respond to water main breaks across Detroit ▶ 0:44
Crews respond to water main breaks across Detroit
Breaking down new NIL rules for Michigan high school sports_copy ▶ 2:44
Breaking down new NIL rules for Michigan high school sports_copy
Jury selection begins in Dale Warner murder trial ▶ 1:15
Jury selection begins in Dale Warner murder trial
Water main break on on Barlow in Detroit ▶ 1:27
Water main break on on Barlow in Detroit
Are you using AI to grocery shop? ▶ 0:32
Are you using AI to grocery shop?
Water main break on Rosemont in Detroit ▶ 3:06
Water main break on Rosemont in Detroit
Detroit mayor lays out plan to help seniors ▶ 0:33
Detroit mayor lays out plan to help seniors
Water main break floods Detroit neighborhood ▶ 1:25
Water main break floods Detroit neighborhood
DTW crash sparks questions about terminal security ▶ 1:16
DTW crash sparks questions about terminal security
Missing U of M student found dead in bitter cold ▶ 0:31
Missing U of M student found dead in bitter cold
Previous photo Next photo