Protest Reroutes Traffic to Blue Water Bridge

UPDATED 2/9/22 – 10:00 AM – The backup of trucks on eastbound I-69 and I-94 headed toward the Blue Water Bridge continues even though the Ambassador Bridge reopened Tuesday afternoon.

Traffic is currently backed up on I-94 just south of the Dove Road exit, and it slows down just west of Wadhams Road on I-69.

Wait times for commercial vehicles headed into Canada are reported to be 4 hours and 30 minutes as of 9:37 AM this morning.

Those who live in the area and commute to the Flint or Detroit areas are advised to take alternate routes until the situation resolves.

Sheriff Mat King said in a press release, “all eastbound on ramps to I-94 in St. Clair County are closed, as are eastbound on ramps to I-69 out to and including M-19. All off ramps remain open.”

UPDATED 2/8/22 – 12:29 PM – Backups at the Blue Water Bridge are causing significant traffic issues on east-bound I-94 and I-69. The on ramp to Blue Water Bridge from Pine Grove Avenue has been closed. There is currently a 1 hour 45 minute wait for commercial traffic headed into Canada and an 85 minute wait for commercial traffic headed into the U.S. on the Blue Water Bridge.

2/8/22 – 6:30 AM: A Canadian protest is showing signs of affecting travel in the Blue Water Area. The Ambassador Bridge in Detroit was closed last night, and Canadian Border Services advised travelers to reroute to the Blue Water Bridge. This morning, trucks are beginning to line I-94 and fill up area rest stops.

The protest is in response to vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers and started when unvaccinated truckers were refused entry to Canada. It began as a truck convoy on January 9th and moved to a demonstration in Ottawa that has been going on for almost 2 weeks.

A truck convoy lined up at the Ambassador Bridge on Monday night, and the bridge was closed to all traffic. It remains closed this morning, and it’s unclear how this will affect cross-border travel at the Blue Water Bridge.

At 6:30 AM this morning, wait times at the bridge were being reported as no delay for personal vehicles and a 15 minute wait for commercial vehicles, but commuters were observing trucks parked along the shoulder of I-94 and packing area rest stops.

Protestors insist they will not stop until COVID-19 mandates and restrictions are lifted.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

PIPES Act Legislation Introduced to Keep Disposable Wipes Out of Sewer Systems

The PIPES Act legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democratic Congressman Dan Lowenthal of California and local Republican Representative Lisa McLain of Michigan’s 10th District. PIPES stands for “Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship”.

The Act pertains to disposable wipes that are causing severe damage to municipal sewer systems. The Act would establish standards for “flushability”.

Representative McClain said that the PIPES Act would help address the “damage to our sewage systems made by wipes that have caused massive clogs that can’t be easily removed.”

If passed, the legislation would impose penalties on manufacturers who do not comply with the labeling standards.

A longtime critic of flushable wipes, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller said, “This is extremely important legislation to help us all protect our critical underground infrastructure. Packaging on all wipes should clearly say ‘Do Not Flush.’ They may be flushable but they are not biodegradable and these wipes are wreaking havoc on our sewers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Snowy Owls Make Annual Appearance

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding Michiganders that the elusive Great Snowy Owl could be making an appearance in backyards around the state. Catching a glimpse of the rare, large bird is a highlight of the winter for many bird watchers.

The DNR warns that winter is a stressful time for the bird that spends most of its time in the arctic tundra. Being around humans and urban landscapes are unfamiliar experiences for the owls. Great snowy owls face threats like collision with vehicles and power lines, ingestion of rodent poison, and invasion of their personal space from curious humans.

The DNR says to give snowy owls space. Expect to use binoculars to view the seasonal visitors. If you make the owl fly away, you got too close.

While it might be tempting to call in the owl with audio recordings, don’t do it. Hearing another owl’s call is very stressful for Great Snowy Owls.

Finally, leave “live baiting” to professionals. This is only done for the sake of the owls and can be harmful if used for photography. Owls will start hanging around dangerous places to get easy meals and it will ultimately be detrimental to the owl.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Port Huron’s January 2022 Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – ShaRay Davis has been named the Employee of the Month for January. Davis has worked at McLaren Port Huron for three years and is currently a nurse aide on 4 South.

Davis was nominated by her coworkers because she lives the hospital values. She always goes above and beyond for her patients, and her bedside manner is fantastic. She is always courteous, professional and generous with her time. She finds a way to make her patients smile and laugh every day. Her patients always have great things to say about her. Davis never stops; she is always doing something to help. Her coworkers say she is a ray of sunshine that helps them get through hard times.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

City Proposes Addressing Housing Needs, Sidewalk Accessibility, and Cruise Ship Docking

Port Huron City Manager James Freed has presented the proposed goals and priorities for the city of Port Huron. The list covers nine initiatives.

The city administration plans to address housing concerns by developing a community housing strategy to look at current and future housing needs along with addressing workforce housing needs in the community.

As the city prepares to spend the windfall of one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan, investment into city assets like Palmer Park, McMorran, and Department of Public Works facilities are on the docket.

Those who try to navigate the city on foot or in a wheelchair or motorized device will be interested to hear the plan to enhance crosswalks to make them more accessible.

Citizen engagement town halls, sidewalk improvements, improved signage for visitors trying to find their way in the city, and business corridor improvements are also on the list, but the most unique item may be the plan to work with regional stakeholders on docking for the Viking Cruise Line Great Lakes Cruise scheduled for 2023.

Stay tuned to WGRT as these proposals develop.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland