Protesters step up blocking access to Ambassador Bridge international crossing on Day 4 of rallies

The latest developments:

Protesters in Windsor, Ont., have completely blocked off the only side-street entrance to the Ambassador Bridge, a major U.S.-Canada trade route, on Thursday as rallies against pandemic mandates continued into their fourth day.

During the first three days, Windsor police were able to keep one side street entrance to the bridge clear for the slow trickle of traffic.

However, overnight Wednesday and early Thursday morning, protesters moved to block an area of the street, forcing transport trucks and other traffic to a halt in the city's downtown core. The main artery to the bridge, Huron Church Road, has been blocked since Monday afternoon.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and officials are set to provide an update on the protests at 2 p.m. ET, and CBC is carrying it live. 

One truck driver told CBC News he has been stuck in city traffic for more than seven hours.

CBC News witnessed an increased presence of Ontario Provincial Police at the protest sites in Windsor on Thursday.

Protester Manbae Singh-Gall was in the first vehicle parked and blocking the road to a side entrance to the bridge Thursday. He said protesters were able to block the street despite the heavy police presence. 

"It was a standoff, but we had grit and spirit, they have salaries," he said. "If they can run shifts, we can run shifts."

The west-end Windsor resident said he's been at the protests since Monday afternoon and his comrades are bringing more supplies. 

WATCH | Protesters blocking another key road speak with police: 

"I want the right of choice. I don't mind the vaccine. I don't like them telling me," Singh-Gail said, adding he is not vaccinated, but only due to "laziness."

"My family lives in India. I haven't been in five years," he said, adding he couldn't visit for the last two year due to pandemic restrictions. 

When asked what protesters want, Singh-Gall said, "Negotiation, middle ground, listen to us and we'll listen to you. Wise words prevail when leaders meet on the trail."