International Bridge closure due to fuel spill (10:04 p.m. update)

10:02 p.m. update

All lanes have now re-opened.

Bridge officials have confirmed that the closure was caused by a diesel spill.

Peter M. Petainen, manager of the International Bridge Authority, tells SooToday that bridge traffic was stopped in both directions around 6:30 p.m. after a northbound semi truck struck a concrete barrier wall in the toll plaza, rupturing its fuel tank on the driver’s side.

About 80 gallons of diesel fuel spilled in the toll lanes, Petainen said. 

A southbound lane was re-opened quickly.

The northbound lanes remained closed until some of the fuel had been removed.

By 8 p.m., one lane had re-opened in each direction. 

Petainen said that the spill was contained within the toll plaza and no fuel entered the river.

One northbound lane remained closed for some time for final cleanup.

At 9:35 p.m., Petainen advised us that “everything is now totally cleaned up now and traffic is moving smoothly in both directions.”   

“Our primary concern was public safety,” Petainen said of tonight’s closure. 

He expressed appreciation for fast action by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; that city’s fire and police departments and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

“It’s to their credit that we were able to have this contained,” Petainen said.

8:38 p.m. update

Traffic appears to be flowing again.

7:38 p.m. original story

Sault Ste. Marie Michigan Police and Fire Services, along with International Bridge Administration officials, confirm that the northbound lane of the International Bridge heading into Canada is closed at this time.

Motorists confirm traffic is proceeding southbound into the U.S. at a slow pace.

Authorities would not comment on the reason for the closure. 

SooToday will have more on this story as information becomes available.