A series of truck convoys is headed to the DC area in the coming days — the first expected Wednesday, Feb. 23 just before afternoon rush hour. The goal: to create gridlock on the Beltway.

Bob Bolus, a Scranton, Pa. truck driver, told 7News he’s leading a convoy to protest federal COVID-19 mandates, inflation, and illegal immigration.

“We’re not going to camp there. Let me put it that way,” Bolus replied. “We’re not camping on the Beltway. We’re gonna have our voices heard and let them understand this is only the tip of the iceberg.”

He told 7News that a captain within the Metropolitan Police Department recently contacted him to ask about his protest plans. Yet Bolus, who owns a tow truck company, said he is keeping his convoy out of the District as he believes Maryland and Virginia follow due process more than the nation’s capital.

TIMELINE OF WEDNESDAY’S CONVOY

Bolus’ convoy officially left Scranton around 10:30 a.m. He is about to join around 25 trucks at a travel center in Pittson, Pa., making stops at Harrisburg and Baltimore before making it to the D.C. region. Bolus first said they would leave at 8 a.m., but he reported that his truck had two flat tires, delaying the start.

“We’re not going to cause a traffic problem any more than they live with every single day,” Bolus stated.

They are expected to reach the DMV in the afternoon just ahead of the afternoon rush hour. So, if you need to drive somewhere Wednesday afternoon, give yourself additional time and avoid I-495.

At this time it’s unknown where exactly on the Beltway the group is expected to gather and the exact time they are expected.

Bolus, who is a longtime Trump supporter, adds that his purposeful gridlock on I-495 could continue well into Thursday.

“Have you been in touch at all with the truck convoy coming from California to exchange notes and ideas?” 7News reporter Kevin Lewis asked Bolus.

“We have had dialogue,” he responded. “We’ve had conference calls and we’re all on the same page. We’re all for one thing: freedom and rights. It’s America.”

During an interview on Monday, and then again on Tuesday, Bolus stopped short of saying how many trucks he expects to be part of his convoy. He did say if there are not many, he will scrap it at the last minute.

WHAT OTHER CONVOYS ARE PLANNED?

Right now, 7News knows of at least two more convoys planned in the DC region.

The People’s Convoy is expected to be in town on March 5. The group is expected to leave Adelanto Stadium, CA on the morning of Feb. 23 with stops in eight cities before arriving in Hagerstown, Maryland on the evening of March 4.

“it’s time for elected officials to work with the blue-collar and white-collar workers of America and restore accountability and liberty –by lifting all mandates and ending the state of emergency – as COVID is well-in-hand now, and Americans need to get back to work in a free and unrestricted manner,” the group said in a press release.