The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is urging commercial drivers and fleets to avoid extended parking at the duty-free store on the Canadian side of the Blue Water Bridge, citing growing safety concerns and operational challenges.

The bridge connects Point Edward, Ont., with Port Huron, Mich., and is one of the busiest commercial border crossings between Canada and the U.S.

The agency says more drivers are using the lot to wait for customs paperwork to clear before proceeding to the U.S. — a practice that is contributing to congestion at the plaza.

“Duty free parking is limited to 20 minutes,” FBCL reminded in a statement shared by the Ontario Trucking Association. “This time is intended for short visits to the store and amenities.”

Drivers who park beyond the limit may be sent back into Canada to complete the clearance process at an off-site location, and tolls will be charged again, FBCL warned. If a driver is out of hours, they are required to return to Canada and find alternate parking.

To avoid unnecessary delays, the drivers should wait until all paperwork is finalized before proceeding to the bridge.

The agency also suggested nearby truck parking locations for drivers who need to wait longer, including:

• Petro-Pass Truck Stop at 81 Ube Drive, Sarnia, Ont.
• Hwy 402 Westbound Rest Area, 3850 ON-402, Plympton-Wyoming, Ont.
• Flying J Travel Centre, 5906 Oil Heritage Road, Wyoming, Ont.

Should drivers have any questions, they are encouraged to contact FBCL at connexion@federalbridge.ca.