September 24, 2004

East Lansing.  The Michigan State Police, Motor Carrier Division was awarded a $2,459,505 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (USDOT/FMCSA) to enhance commercial motor vehicle safety and security at Michigan's international border crossings.

This two-year grant will be used to expand commercial vehicle enforcement efforts at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry and the tunnel connecting Detroit and Windsor.

Specifically, the funding will increase the number of motor carrier officers assigned to international ports-of-entry, provide enhanced hazardous materials training to officers and support the purchase of communications and data management equipment.  Officers assigned to the borders will also conduct a variety of commercial vehicle safety inspections.

"This grant will enhance homeland security in Michigan," stated Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, director of the Michigan State Police.  "This additional funding will allow the Motor Carrier Division to better equip and deploy personnel to ensure the safety and security of the state's borders."

The Motor Carrier Division will temporarily reassign officers to the ports-of-entry until additional personnel are hired and trained.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.