The final cost of the nearly week-long protest on Highway 402 may not be known for several months.
The lengthy closure resulted in increased traffic on municipal roads through Warwick Township and other municipalities, as well as an increased, around the clock OPP presence.
Warwick Township Councillor Wayne Morris said taxpayers want to know the financial implications of the protest.
"I got a lot of phone calls, texts, e-mails, people on the street, they weren't happy about the 402," said Morris. "Our roads, like Zion Line is just a mess, the extra traffic and the unsafe conditions that it caused by having the 402 shut was not good for our township."
Treasurer Trevor Jarrett told council during its virtual meeting Monday that taxpayers will also be on the hook for extra policing costs.
"We'll be paying for it," said Jarrett. "It's going to be allocated based on region and it will be spread amongst the other municipalities in our region, so yes it's going to cost us. I will not know until late this year when I see the 2022 reconciliation, but I will forward it at that time."
Lambton OPP closed a section of the westbound highway the morning of Wednesday, February 9, after up to 20 farm vehicles and tractors parked on the highway near Nauvoo Road.
The demonstration was cleared and traffic was moving again smoothly by Monday evening.
Township councillor Todd White said he commends Lambton OPP for keeping it safe and the Blue Water Bridge open, not allowing the occupation to snarl traffic.
"And I do want to shoutout to the real heroes that are still working out there, our healthcare workers that are still battling COVID," said White. "I don't understand why people don't see that that's still a concern. And, I hope that those involved in those occupations [Ottawa, border crossings] are held accountable to the full extent of the law."
No arrests were made during the six day demonstration on Highway 402.