THUNDER BAY — With hundreds of vehicles en route to Thunder Bay in a convoy of protesters against mandated COVID-19 vaccinations, Thunder Bay Police are advising drivers to prepare for extreme congestion on the road.
The so-called Freedom Convoy is due to arrive in the city by early Wednesday evening.
Ontario Provincial Police said there were almost 400 vehicles in the convoy that crossed into Ontario from Manitoba Tuesday night.
City police say motorists and pedestrians should prepare for potentially significant traffic volumes both Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, when the convoy resumes its trip eastward.
The protesters' route will take them from Highway 11/17 to a truck stop on Arthur Street at Twin City Crossroads.
At about 7 Thursday morning, they will continue to the Thunder Bay Expressway.
An advisory issued by TBPS said "If possible, motorists are strongly encouraged to plan alternate routes during these times. If an alternate route is not possible, motorists should give themselves extra time to reach their destination."
Police said they are still working with OPP to better understand how large the convoy actually is.
TBPS will also work to ensure that emergency responders are not impacted by the potentially extraordinarily large traffic volumes.
