Highways in Northern Ontario Start to Reopen After Storm

Strong winds and freezing temperatures caused multiple highway closures in northern Ontario on Wednesday morning, but traffic is beginning to get moving again, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

As of 11:00 a. m. EST, the following sections of highway are still closed:

Highway 17: Wawa to Heyden (north of Sault Ste. Marie)Highway 11: New Liskeard to Kenogami Highway 11: Nipigon to Longlac

Both the Ministry of Transportation and the OPP reported snow-covered roads and limited visibility early this morning.

“So when the OPP makes the decision to close a road, it’s not taken lightly. The OPP is well aware that road closures may have significant impact on personal and commercial traffic, but ultimately public safety and officer safety are the main considerations when we do make the decision to close the road,” said OPP Sergeant Theresa Wabason.

Wabason mentioned that in the last 24 hours, officers responded to nearly 20 collisions and 13 traffic hazards. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.

“Not all of these calls were weather related, but definitely some can be attributed to, you know, vehicles in the ditches or stuck tractor trailers,” she said.

Environment Canada has issued a yellow advisory for parts of northern Ontario due to blowing snow.

The agency warns that visibility could be greatly reduced or even near zero because of blowing snow. Some areas in the region might see heavy snowfall amounts between 5 to 10 centimeters.

Snowy conditions are expected throughout the morning and into the afternoon for certain locations.

The OPP advises people check Ontario 511 and Environment Canada for updates on current conditions.

Highway closures along with weather issues have also resulted in several school bus cancellations across the region.

Weather conditions have led to school bus cancellations across northern Ontario. (Marc Doucette/CBC)

Cancellations for Buses in Northeastern Ontario

Student transportation is cancelled for today; however, schools remain open in Sudbury, Espanola Massey, and Manitoulin Districts. Buses are also cancelled in West Nipissing as well as south of North Bay down toward Parry Sound. They’re also cancelled from Temagami up through Hearst, including Timmins. Algoma and Huron-Superior Transportation Services has cancelled over a dozen bus routes today due to Highway 17 North closure. Additionally, Mountain View Public School will be closed today. Route E026 servicing École séparée Sainte-Anne in Spanish will be cancelled for today.

Cancellations for Buses in Northwestern Ontario

A number of bus routes serving schools within Superior-Greenstone District School Board (SGDSB) are cancelled this morning. This includes several buses going to Geraldton Composite High School, Ecole St-Joseph, B. A. Parker Public School , Our Lady of Fatima , Ecole Notre-Dame de Fatima , and Marjorie Mills Public School. More information can be found on SGDSB’s website. Algoma and Huron-Superior Transportation Services has canceled all bus routes today for schools located in Wawa, White River, Chapleau, and Hornepayne while schools will remain open.

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