The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has announced it will review its winter maintenance procedures following a tragic incident on 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 was one of two accidents that occurred Monday morning when drivers lost control of their vehicles on the flyover ramp.
Around 2 a. m., a taxi driver lost control and “ramped up” over the snow embankment onto Highway 8 below. The cab driver sustained injuries and was taken to hospital.
The deadly crash took place at around 7:30 a. m., according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
This particular section of road 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 examine findings from the police investigation when they become 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 states it’s reassessing winter maintenance operations during the time surrounding a fatal accident where a vehicle drove over a snowbank on the Highway 7 flyover ramp in Kitchener. MTO had plowed and salted the ramp, clearing away snow by Tuesday.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt mentioned to that both snow accumulation and road conditions contributed to these crashes.
The Waterloo region faced multiple weather alerts from Environment Canada for snow squalls and blowing snow over Sunday and Monday. The area received between 10 and 15 cm of snowfall from Sunday into Monday morning.
“[Plows] push that snow onto the shoulders, but with how much we accumulated in just 24 hours, we reached a point where there wasn’t any more space left to push it, creating an embankment along the concrete wall,” Schmidt explained.
MTO did not respond to inquiries from about when they last cleared snow from beside the flyover ramp prior to these two crashes.
A video captured at the scene showed that snow had been pushed against the edge of the flyover ramp, raising its height level with that of the concrete barrier.
Schmidt pointed out that pushing snow over this concrete barrier isn’t an option since it would fall onto vehicles traveling below on the highway.
The roadway was fully cleared by Tuesday morning.
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This photo, posted to Reddit, shows snow was pushed against the edge of the Highway 7 flyover ramp in Kitchener, making its height level with that of the concrete barrier. (Nick G/Reddit)
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MTO clears snow buildup on Hwy 7 flyover, reviewing winter maintenance operations
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation states it’s reassessing winter maintenance operations during the time surrounding a fatal accident where a vehicle drove over a snowbank on the Highway 7 flyover ramp in Kitchener. MTO had plowed and salted the ramp, clearing away snow by Tuesday.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt mentioned to that both snow accumulation and road conditions contributed to these crashes.
The Waterloo region faced multiple weather alerts from Environment Canada for snow squalls and blowing snow over Sunday and Monday. The area received between 10 and 15 cm of snowfall from Sunday into Monday morning.
“[Plows] push that snow onto the shoulders, but with how much we accumulated in just 24 hours, we reached a point where there wasn’t any more space left to push it, creating an embankment along the concrete wall,” Schmidt explained.
MTO did not respond to inquiries from about when they last cleared snow from beside the flyover ramp prior to these two crashes.
A video captured at the scene showed that snow had been pushed against the edge of the flyover ramp, raising its height level with that of the concrete barrier.
Schmidt pointed out that pushing snow over this concrete barrier isn’t an option since it would fall onto vehicles traveling below on the highway.
The roadway was fully cleared by Tuesday morning.
Investigation continues
Schmidt informed on Tuesday that police are still investigating these crashes and examining whether mechanical issues or driver error were involved as contributing factors. “The lanes themselves were plowed and salted yet somehow drivers still lost control,” he stated. He also mentioned that after MTO plowed and salted following each crash at approximately 2 a. m., they removed additional snowfall after addressing both incidents. If OPP finds highways impassable, they will close them; however, Schmidt assured that “the lanes on this ramp were good.” “Traffic could move through except for those two collisions,” he added. “If it was completely unmanageable like an ice rink, we wouldn’t reopen until everything’s cleared up. It happens all too often.” No charges are expected at this point in time.Source link
