Traffic slow through Alberta border crossing after being blocked again by protesters
Posted Feb 7, 2022 9:58 pm.
Last Updated Feb 8, 2022 11:32 am.
After protesters prevented traffic from passing through the Coutts border crossing in southern Alberta on Monday night, things have opened up once again.
Alberta RCMP tweeted late Monday evening that both north and southbound lanes at the crossing on Highway 4 were blocked by the demonstration and asked motorists to avoid the area.
Alberta RCMP report that both north and southbound lanes at the Coutts border have now been blocked by the unlawful blockade on Hwy 4. Motorists are still being asked to avoid the area.
— RCMP Alberta (@RCMPAlberta) February 8, 2022
On Tuesday morning, Coutts Mayor Jim Willett said things had opened up in both directions.
Willett says he heard there were social media posts from people who were upset Premier Jason Kenney didn’t lift restrictions Monday, so the convoy “wanted to make a statement.”
It isn’t clear if the cause of the road opening back up was caused by Kenney announcing he will provide an update Tuesday on the province’s “path back to normal.”
Related article:
Alberta premier to outline ‘path back to normal’ Tuesday
Trucks and other vehicles began parking on the highway near Coutts on Feb. 5 in solidarity with similar protests in Ottawa and across the country over COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers and broader public health measures.
One blockade, which stranded travellers and truckers for days, became two when a second one appeared further up the highway.
The impasse stranded travellers and cross-border truckers for days, compromised millions of dollars in trade and impeded access to basic goods and medical services for area residents.
Last week, protesters agreed to open a single lane in each direction for traffic and so truckers could haul cargo across the border.
