Climate strikes are being held all over Vermont. Here's how it might affect drivers.

Protests by people taking part in the Global Climate Strike in Vermont are causing traffic interruptions throughout the state, according to police agencies.

Demonstrations are being held around Vermont, joining similar actions worldwide. The actions are planned ahead of the U.N. Climate Action Summit in New York on Sept. 23.

Burlington Police Department said in a Twitter post that it anticipated many neighbors coming out for Friday's climate strike. 

"Traffic in and around #BTV’s downtown area will be affected—please plan accordingly and allow extra time," the agency wrote.

In Burlington, several marches converged at City Hall around noon. One march went down Main Street around 11:45 a.m. from the University of Vermont. Champlain College students also joined that march. A second went up Pine Street from Burton beginning around 11 a.m. 

As of 1:45 p.m., Burlington Police said Main Street was back open to traffic after being closed due to the Climate Strike for almost two hours.

Burlington police recommended that drivers should avoid the northbound lane of Pine Street and the westbound lane of Main Street beginning at 11 a.m. Drivers in the city can expect delays until 2 p.m.

Montpelier 

Montpelier Police Department said it expected traffic delays in the city's downtown to begin around 9 a.m. and continue into the afternoon. They also urged drivers to plan for disruptions. 

"Montpelier Police Department personnel may issue updates related to traffic and public safety, if needed, through VT-ALERT and other media platforms during the protest activity," the agency wrote on Facebook. "Officials expect that the majority of the protestors will be students from area schools."

More:These kids want you to strike on Sept. 20 to fight climate change

Brattleboro

Brattleboro Police Department said the town had approved Open Air/Parade and Street/Sidewalk Blocking permits for 350 Brattleboro. The agency said it would be working with the organization to coordinate road closures during the event. Police said the road closures will be: 

• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: High Street will be closed to all traffic from its intersection with Green Street to the intersection with Main Street. Eastbound traffic will be detoured onto Green Street, and westbound traffic will be prohibited from entering High Street from Main Street.
• 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Main Street will be closed to all traffic. Southbound Putney Road traffic will be detoured north on Vermont 30 to Cedar Street. Southbound Vermont 30 traffic will be detoured onto Cedar Street. 

Southbound tractor trailers on Vermont 30 will also be stopped for the duration of the closures as police say they will be unable to negotiate the detours.

"The listed times are estimates and may be extended without notice," Brattleboro police said. 

To find Climate Strike actions in Vermont, or for more information about the events, visit vermontclimatestrike.org.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 802-651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.