Local mayors are paying close attention to the ongoing protest on Highway 402.
The westbound lanes between Nauvoo Road in Watford and Oil Heritage Road remained closed to traffic Thursday due to the freedom convoy.
Protesters are demanding an end to all COVID-related mandates, including masking and vaccine passports.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said while he supports the right to protest, interrupting traffic along a 400 series highway and at international border crossings is not acceptable.
"At Sarnia City Hall, we have had protests here every Wednesday and Saturday for the last 18 months, that's part of democracy," said Bradley. "But those people are not interfering with the livelihoods of people, they're not acting illegally, that's the big difference on this. This is an illegal action, it is economic terrorism. Politicians aren't supposed to direct police, but in an ideal world what I would be saying is this, ticket, tow and arrest if necessary because this is illegal."
Warwick Township Mayor Jackie Rombouts said so far it has been a peaceful demonstration.
"It's a difficult situation for everybody right now I think," said Rombouts. "There's people in pain on both sides of this divide and I'd love to see our federal government step up and really listen to both sides."
Rombouts said the closure on the westbound Highway 402, has resulted in increased traffic through the municipality.
"We are seeing a lot of traffic on Zion Line which we are discouraging," she said. "It's not the safest route for large caravans of vehicles to be taking, there's some curves and dips so we are encouraging the public to use Egremont Road as much as possible."
Point Edward Mayor Bev Hand said she has been watching what is happening at the 402 protest and in Windsor very closely.
"We're on regular calls with the county, the city, the OPP and the Federal Bridge Corporation and even a representative from the Michigan side to talk about the backups there," said Hand. "We appreciate that everyone is open and sharing the information. The OPP are in charge of the situation and they're keeping us abreast of everything that's happening, so everyone is working together and that's very appreciated."
A blockade has been in place at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor since Monday, and the crossing is closed to Canada bound traffic.
The closure has resulted in double the average number of commercial vehicles crossing the Blue Water Bridge into Canada.
Truck traffic has been waiting up to four hours at times to enter the country. There have been no significant delays for trucks entering Port Huron.