Niagara businesses, residents concerned about planned convoy at Peace Bridge

The Niagara business community and residents aren’t thrilled about a planned convoy at the Peace Bridge this Saturday. Many are concerned about protestors making their way in the main arteries, clogging up the streets, slowing down access, and even hurting the ability to do business.

On Niagara Boulevard, business owners on the strip are worrying as well as it may deter customers from attending an appointment or dining inside. Krista Phillips operates Bridgeburg Spa, and with Saturday being her busiest day she is concerned over the potential of a crowded street and disruptions at her business. “It’s a spa atmosphere, I want people relaxed and enjoying themselves and not hear honking and yelling or things like that.”s

Thursday afternoon numerous transport trucks sat idle on the Peace Bridge waiting to get back into Canada, which has many worried about the impact on the supply chain and bare shelves in stores.

The Niagara Regional Police and the OPP tell CHCH News they are monitoring current protests but would not reveal operational details in regards to demonstrations like if there will be road closures to help re-direct traffic.

The town of Fort Erie and Niagara Regional Police have not ruled out restricting road access in town for Saturday’s planned protest.

As of right now many commercial trucks are backed up on the bridge and wait times to get back into Canada are more than an hour. CHCH News tried to reach out to the Peace Bridge Authority regarding if they are seeing a traffic increase as a result of the blockade in Windsor, they have not responded to our requests.