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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Traffic on Trans-Canada Highway reopened after Sandy Bay blockade

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 12/15/2012 11:41 AM | Last Modified: 12/15/2012 6:40 PM | Updates

Members of Sandy Bay First Nation use a blockade on the Trans-Canada between Highway 16 and Road 42 West to protest budget bill C45 on Saturday. (TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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Traffic was slowed due to the blockade by members of Sandy Bay First Nation. (TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Traffic on the TransCanada Highway near Portage la Prairie reopened early Saturday evening after being rerouted around a First Nation blockade for part of the day.

In the morning, RCMP closed just one of two eastbound lanes to traffic at the junction of the Trans-Canada and Highway 16. Protestors from Sandy Bay First Nation were kept in one lane, while traffic used the other, for a stretch of about 200 metres.

Plans changed when protestors and traffic started coming too near to each other, said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Miles Hiebert.

Cars on both eastbound and westbound lanes had to take gravel-road detours for a few kilometres, adding an extra 10 minutes or so to their travels, Hiebert said.

The First Nation was protesting omnibus budget bill C45, which it says imposes on their rights.

History

Updated on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 2:17 PM CST: updates with full writethru

3:36 PM: adds photos

6:40 PM: Updates with highway reopened

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