The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has announced it will evaluate its winter maintenance practices following a tragic accident Monday morning, where a 38-year-old woman’s vehicle was “launched” over a snowbank on the Highway 7 flyover ramp in Kitchener and fell onto the highway below.
This incident was one of two accidents that occurred Monday morning involving drivers losing control of their vehicles on the flyover ramp.
Around 2 a. m., a taxi driver lost control and ended up “ramping up” over the snow embankment onto Highway 8 below. The cab driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The deadly crash took place at approximately 7:30 a. m., according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
This section of roadway is maintained by the MTO, not by the Region of Waterloo or City of Kitchener.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these incidents,” said the ministry in an email statement to .
“We are reviewing winter maintenance operations at the time of the incidents and will review findings from the police investigation when available.”
WATCH | Snow buildup cleared on Hwy 7 flyover ramp:
MTO clears snow buildup on Hwy 7 flyover, reviewing winter maintenance operations
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation stated it’s assessing winter maintenance efforts during the time leading up to a fatal accident Monday morning when a vehicle went over a snowbank on the Highway 7 flyover ramp in Kitchener. MTO had plowed and salted that ramp, removing excess snow by Tuesday.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt informed on Monday that both road conditions and accumulated snow contributed to these crashes.
Waterloo region was under multiple weather alerts from Environment Canada for snow squalls and blowing snow throughout Sunday and Monday. The area received between 10 and 15 cm of snowfall overnight into Monday morning.
“[Plows] push that snow onto the shoulders, but with how much we accumulated over those last few hours, we reached a point where there wasn’t any space left to push it, resulting in an embankment along the concrete wall,” Schmidt explained.
MTO did not respond to questions from regarding when they last cleared snow from alongside the flyover ramp before these two accidents occurred.
A video captured at the scene showed that snow had been pushed against the edge of the flyover ramp, making it level with the height of the concrete barrier.
Schmidt pointed out that pushing snow over this barrier isn’t possible as it would fall onto traffic below on the highway potentially endangering vehicles there.
The roadway had been cleared by Tuesday morning after snowfall accumulation was addressed.
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This photo, posted to Reddit, shows how snow was pushed against the edge of Highway 7’s flyover ramp in Kitchener, leveling it with concrete barriers. (Nick G/Reddit)
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MTO clears snow buildup on Hwy 7 flyover, reviewing winter maintenance operations
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation stated it’s assessing winter maintenance efforts during the time leading up to a fatal accident Monday morning when a vehicle went over a snowbank on the Highway 7 flyover ramp in Kitchener. MTO had plowed and salted that ramp, removing excess snow by Tuesday.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt informed on Monday that both road conditions and accumulated snow contributed to these crashes.
Waterloo region was under multiple weather alerts from Environment Canada for snow squalls and blowing snow throughout Sunday and Monday. The area received between 10 and 15 cm of snowfall overnight into Monday morning.
“[Plows] push that snow onto the shoulders, but with how much we accumulated over those last few hours, we reached a point where there wasn’t any space left to push it, resulting in an embankment along the concrete wall,” Schmidt explained.
MTO did not respond to questions from regarding when they last cleared snow from alongside the flyover ramp before these two accidents occurred.
A video captured at the scene showed that snow had been pushed against the edge of the flyover ramp, making it level with the height of the concrete barrier.
Schmidt pointed out that pushing snow over this barrier isn’t possible as it would fall onto traffic below on the highway potentially endangering vehicles there.
The roadway had been cleared by Tuesday morning after snowfall accumulation was addressed.
Investigation continues
On Tuesday, Schmidt told that police are still investigating these crashes while examining whether mechanical issues or driver error were factors as well. “The lanes themselves were plowed and salted yet somehow drivers still lost control,” he noted. Schmidt mentioned that after MTO cleared and salted following each crash-starting after the first one around 2 a. m.-the ramp reopened after necessary cleanup actions took place post-incident. He added OPP would close highways if they become impassable; however, those specific lanes were adequately treated because “were good.” “Traffic managed to get through except for these two collisions,” he stated. If conditions were extremely icy then we absolutely wouldn’t reopen until plows have gone through again-that’s standard practice.” No charges are pending at this moment regarding either incident.Source link
