Roads

Highways

Sarnia-Lambton is served by a superb network of highways that connects the region to the Great Lakes industrial corridor, the southern United States, and Mexico. Go to the Economic Partnership’s interactive mapping to see our transportation systems.

Highway 402 – multiple lane freeway running from the Michigan/Ontario border in the west to London and Highway 401 in the east. The 402 is the main highway that connects Sarnia-Lambton with the United States and Interstate 75 and 69 Highways via the Blue Water Bridge, and the markets of London, Kitchener, Toronto, Montreal etc. via Highway 401 in the east as well as the Niagara – Buffalo, New York border crossing via highway 403.

Highway 40 – Runs south from Sarnia through St. Clair Township interconnecting our community with Chatham-Kent and Windsor.

Highway 21 – runs north from Highway 402 through the municipality of Lambton Shores, where it runs parallel to the Lake Huron shoreline into Huron County and the Grey-Bruce region of Ontario.

 

International Crossings

Blue Water Bridge – The Blue Water Bridge international border crossing is a key link between Canada and the United States. The bridge is centrally located on the eastern border area between Point Edward/Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan.  Strategically placed on the major trade and transportation corridors linking U.S. Interstates, I-69 and I-94, with Canadian 400 Series Highway, 402.  The Blue Water Bridge currently ranks as the fourth busiest Ontario international crossing for total vehicles and is the second busiest for number of commercial vehicle (truck) crossings.

Bluewater Ferry – The Bluewater Ferry has been in operation since 1948.  Located in Sombra and connecting to Marine City, Michigan, the ferry can handle commercial vehicles up to 13 feet high and 75 feet long.

Walpole – Algonac Ferry – The Walpole-Algonac Ferry has been in operation for over 100 years.  The ferry operates between Walpole Island and crosses the St. Clair River to Algonac Michigan.

Free and Secure Trade (F.A.S.T.) Program
The Free and Secure Trade Program (F.A.S.T.) is a harmonized commercial program between the Canada Border Services Agency, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The F.A.S.T. program allows pre-approved low risk importers, carriers, and drivers to be cleared into either country with greater speed and certainty, and at a reduced cost of compliance.

 

Freight Carriers

Sarnia-Lambton’s freight carriers can satisfy a variety of industrial shipping needs.  Local freight carriers offer a wide range of services including liquid bulk transport, dry bulk transport, flatbed, over-sized loads, long haul international, short haul domestic, etc.  Our business directory contains a complete listing of all local and international carriers located in our community.

 

Customs Brokers

Because of its border location, Sarnia-Lambton has an excellent complement of custom brokerages. Acting on behalf of their clients, the customs brokers will prepare the necessary import or export documents they receive from the freight forwarder, correctly classify the goods and pay the duty and forward the shipments as directed.  Our business directory contains a complete listing of all local custom brokers.

 

Rail

Sarnia-Lambton’s industries are served by both Canadian National (CN) North America and CSX Transportation.

 

Canadian National

Canadian National (CN) is the principal rail carrier in the Greater Sarnia Area. Major customers include BP Energy Canada, NOVA Chemicals, Superior Propane, Provident Energy, CF Industries, Cabot Canada, ARLANXEO Canada Inc., Suncor Energy Products Inc., and Shell Canada. CN also operates the St. Clair Rail Tunnel under the St. Clair River between Sarnia and Port Huron, Michigan. This tunnel accommodates double-stacked containers and multi-level carriers with non-stop efficiency. CN maintains five rail yards in the region, including a public-transfer facility with standing capacity for 1,000 cars, a working yard with 600-car capacity, another with 275-car capacity, an equipment repair yard, and one yard devoted to BP Energy.

 

CSX Transportation

In Sarnia-Lambton, CSX Transportation serves Imperial Oil, Suncor, Ethyl, Air Liquide, ARLANXEO Canada Inc., and Shell. Canadian National moves CSX rail cars in and out of the region.

 

Rail Car Maintenance

Given the considerable volume of rail traffic through Sarnia-Lambton, an extensive maintenance infrastructure exists, with services provided by Procor Limited, GATX Canada Inc., the Oil Well Supply Company Limited, and ARI Fleet Services of Canada Inc.

 

Air

Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport – certified facility that operates from 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight. It is roughly five kilometres (three miles) east of Sarnia’s city core, and offers direct access to Highway 402. The Sarnia airport provides commuter links to Pearson International in Toronto.

 

Detroit Metropolitan International Airport – approximately an hour’s drive from Sarnia-Lambton, Detroit Metropolitan offers service to major U.S. and international destinations, and is a Delta hub.

 

Bishop International Airport – located in Flint, Michigan, just over an hour’s drive west of Sarnia along Interstate-69. Daily air service is offered to many US destinations, including non-stop flights to Chicago, Minneapolis – St. Paul, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Baltimore – Washington, Orlando, Tampa Bay and Fort Myers. Bishop is serviced by Delta, American, Southwest and United Airlines.

 

London International Airport is located just over an hour’s drive east of Sarnia via Highway 402. Daily air service is offered to many Canadian, U.S. and international destinations, including non-stop flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Chicago, Orlando, Cancun (Mexico), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Varadero (Cuba), and Santa Clara (Cuba).

 

Port Facilities

The Sarnia Harbour is owned by the City of Sarnia. The Port of Sarnia encompasses a large geographical area, which includes various communities and private facilities as well as the Public Port Facility, and contributes significantly to the economy of Sarnia. The port provides seagoing access for cargo in and out of the area, allowing expedient exporting of goods to national and international markets. It also provides a year-round berthing and repair facility for Great Lakes shipping.

  • Located near the junction of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron.
  • Navigation is seasonal from March to the end of December.
  • Position Lat. 42º 58’0”N Long. 82º 25’0” W NOAA Chart: #14852
  • Pilotage  – Compulsory
  • Approach Channel  – Width 471.0 m (1545 feet)
  • Storage – Available (Limited)

 

Services

  • Harbour Master / Wharfinger
  • Fresh Water*
  • Supplies*
  • Sewage Disposal* (by truck)
  • Fuel* (by truck)
  • Ship Repair*
  • Winter Berthing

(* indicates by arrangement only)

 

Berthage

Government Dock – Length 320 m (1050 feet)
East Dock               – Length 140 m (459 feet)
North Slip #1          – Length 220 m (722 feet)
North Slip #2          – Length 220 m (722 feet)

Depth of berths may vary. Mariners must consult nautical charts.
Harbour Master – Transport Canada