Protesters interrupt Tuesday morning commute on Hwy. 417

A group of protesters caused serious delays on Highway 417 and forced the closure of an off-ramp in Ottawa on Tuesday morning.

Ottawa fire says on social media that crews were called to Hwy. 417 and Woodroffe Avenue after two activists climbed signs above the eastbound and westbound sections of the road.

The westbound off-ramp was briefly closed as police and firefighters brought the protesters down. The off-ramp was reopened by 10 a.m.

The protesters were seen holding signs for the group Last Generation Canada, who are calling for the creation of a national firefighting agency to fight growing forest fires.

The group has conducted shutdowns of other key bridges and intersections throughout Ottawa.

Ottawa Fire Services said in an update at 10:30 a.m. that a third protester was safely brought down at the westbound Pinecrest Road exit and there are no other reports of activists on signs at this time.

There continues to be heavy traffic on westbound Highway 417 and drivers should expect heavy delays.