Seaway bridge closed briefly as part of Canada-wide pipeline protests

In this screen grab from the Seaway International Bridge Corporation camera, protestors walk across the north channel bridge on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. (SIBC via Newswatch Group)

CORNWALL – The flow of traffic across the Seaway International Bridge was halted Friday afternoon after an Akwesasne protest.

Cornwall police tweeted around 3:30 p.m. that the north channel of the bridge between the City of Cornwall and Cornwall Island was closed to traffic and drivers were being asked to avoid the area.

Seaway International Bridge Corporation spokesman Jennifer MacIsaac declined to comment on the situation, referring questions to the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS).

A small group of protesters walked across the north channel bridge around 4 p.m. carrying large placards and accompanied by about a half dozen vehicles.

The protest is part of country-wide demonstrations over the arrests at the Wet’suwet’en pipeline blockage in British Columbia.

Blockades have also stopped trains between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

The bridge has since reopened (as of 4:45 p.m.), according to MCA.