OPP says they worked with trucker convoy before blocking Highway 11 exits

The Ontario Provincial Police says that the 2022 Freedom Convoy was alerted that the Highway 11 exit in the southbound lanes entering Lakeshore Drive was being blocked off due to safety reasons on Friday night. 

The closure limited access to the rally which started Friday afternoon at Pinewood Park Drive in North Bay. 

"The exits were closed due to traffic volumes and late arrivals in consultation with the protestor convoy lead, OPP Highway Safety Division, North Bay Police Service, and the North Bay OPP Detachment to ensure public safety and traffic flow," stated Sgt. Carlo Berardi, media relations with the Northeast Region OPP. 

See related: Truck convoy arrives in North Bay, Cops say avoid the area

See related: Hundreds brave freezing temperatures waiting to welcome truckers

Hundreds of protesters gathered along Pinewood Park Drive awaiting the large 2022 Freedom Convoy which was making its way through northeastern Ontario most of the day on Friday with the majority getting to the North Bay area after 6 p.m. with temperatures outside well below -20.  

"Our Provincial Liaison Team (PLT) was continuously engaged with the convoy protest lead and they were provided with route details 24 hours in advance," said Berardi.  

"The route was communicated to allow for efficient and safe traffic flow.  Additionally, the closure had no impact on the convoy re-routing to Ottawa as the convoy organizer made that decision due to their own delays. The North Bay Detachment Commander spoke directly with the convoy leader and he had no issues with the established routes and actions taken by the OPP."

Berardi adds that the OPP’s role in this event was and is public safety and to manage the safe flow of traffic. 

"This was managed successfully through continuous communication with the protestors," said Berardi. 

That meant a lot of resources planned to be handed out to the convoy in North Bay on Pinewood Park had to be packed up and delivered to the truckers down the highway for the group which has assembled in Ottawa for the protest on Parliament Hill.