One week later: Ambassador Bridge reopens after police remove protesters
The Ambassador Bridge has fully reopened following a week-long closure caused by a border protest.
The Canada Border Service Agency announced the reopening on Sunday night.
A statement from the Detroit International Bridge Company Sunday night said the reopening will allow the free flow of commerce between the Canada and United States economies again.
“Throughout the protest, the bridge company supported truck drivers by providing meals and coffee to keep them going during the unpredictable wait time,” said the statement.
The reopening follows a state of emergency declared in Ontario and an injunction granted by an Ontario judge on Friday.
Police enforcement continued to escalate over the weekend as several arrests were made.
Police say as of Monday afternoon, 42 arrests were made and 37 vehicles have been seized since the onset of the demonstration. A significant number of those were over the last two days.
The majority of those arrested have been released with the future court date and are facing mischief charges.
Police say some are also facing charges of disobeying a court order. Those charged were released with conditions which could include not being able to attend certain areas of the city.
The demonstrators were protesting COVID-19 mandates.
CBSA reported at 11:14 a.m. Monday that there are no delays in traffic at the Ambassador Bridge from the United States to Canada. The Windsor-Detroit tunnel is also open for passenger vehicles with no wait time.
Windsor police said Monday morning that even though the bridge is open, for access vehicles must enter onto Huron Church Road south of E.C. Row Expressway. There is no eastbound or westbound access onto Huron Church Rd from E.C. Row Expressway to Wyandotte. The Wyandotte entrance to the bridge is closed at this time.
“We continue to remind the public that enforcement is ongoing in the demonstration area and there will be zero tolerance for illegal activity,” said police in a post on Twitter Monday morning.
Police are asking the public to continue avoiding the area.
Police issued a traffic update Monday afternoon that access onto Huron Church Road northbound is for Ambassador Bridge Traffic only. U.S. bound traffic can access Huron Church Rd. northbound from Highway 3 and the 401 or enter from Wyandotte Street West.
Southbound traffic coming from the U.S. off the bridge is not currently affected.
Police say all eastbound and westbound arterial roads off Huron Church Rd. between the E.C. Row Expressway and the bridge entrance are closed.
While all businesses on Huron Church Rd. are open, there are alternate routes required for access which police have outlined in a map.
Police are also urging pedestrians to use the overhead crosswalk at Huron Church Rd. and Girardot Street as well as the cross walk at Tecumseh Road West when crossing Huron Church Road and do use extra caution.
Police say enforcement will continue in the area and there will be “zero tolerance for any unlawful activity.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens declared a State of Emergency Monday to “support the ongoing security operation and to allow for continued nimble and agile response as municipal resources are deployed in support of ongoing Windsor police operations.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.