Hochul: State preparing for possible impacts of trucker blockade

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted Friday night saying she has a team monitoring the Canadian Freedom Convoy protest situation of New York’s northern border.

The convoy of truckers is protesting Canada’s vaccine-or-quarantine requirements for cross-border truckers, as well as other COVID-19 guidelines they see as oppressive.

Hochul said she’s convened an interagency command center to make sure the state is prepared for any possible impacts as a result of the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge. A Canadian judge Friday night ordered the protesters to disperse.

My team is monitoring the Canadian truck protest situation on New York’s northern border. We have convened an interagency command center to ensure we are prepared for any impacts to New Yorkers.

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 12, 2022

The Thruway Authority is preparing for potential traffic backups at 190 near the Peace Bridge in Buffalo over the weekend.

The Thruway Authority is working closely with our local partners in Western New York to prepare for potential traffic back-ups on the 190 near the Peace Bridge this weekend. Drivers may experience delays and are encouraged to seek alternative routes. https://t.co/LKGdjjK9qs

— NYS Thruway Authority (@NYSThruway) February 12, 2022

As of Friday night, traffic was clear in the area, but earlier this week, enough tractor-trailers were crossing the Peace Bridge that wait times spiked to nearly two hours and traffic was backing up on the Thruway.