2/8/22 - Freedom Convoy Demonstration Impacts Travel At The Border
Traffic was rerouted at the Ambassador Bridge following demonstrations.
Detroit (Detroit News) -— The Ambassador Bridge has reopened to U.S.-bound traffic after a protest by Canadian truck drivers had closed it for nearly a day, Windsor police said.
The news comes after the protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Canada spread Monday across the Canadian border with the U.S., sparking traffic delays. The traffic blocking convoy, the first sign demonstrations could affect the United States.
The bridge to Canada in Detroit eventually shut down by nightfall, the Michigan Department of Transportation tweeted at 8:50 p.m. Canada later listed the bridge as "temporarily closed.''
MDOT said early Tuesday the bridge remained closed on the U.S. side.
The backups at what is touted as the nation's busiest international border crossing sparked concern among transportation leaders about the impact amid COVID-led supply chain and staffing shortages on Michigan businesses relying on transported goods.
"Any delay or disruption in the supply chain creates problems, not just for agriculture but the state economy," said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, which represents businesses that support farmers.
The protest follows rallies over opposition to vaccine mandates and other restrictions in cities across Canada in a show of solidarity with a demonstration in Ottawa that has gone on for more than a week by the so-called Freedom Truck Convoy.
The protests paralyzed the Canadian capital's business district and led the mayor to call for 2,000 extra police officers to quell the nightly demonstrations.
https://www.wcsg.org/news/national/2-8-22-freedom-convoy-demonstration-impacts-travel-at-the-border/