‘We’re all stuck here’: Ontario travellers stranded by northern highway closures

Playing null of undefined

Highway closures strand families in northeastern Ontario

Intermittent closures continue on northern Ontario highways

Snowy blast gives way to spring tease and more snow

A family from Levack is among travellers stranded by highway closures in northeastern Ontario this week, forced to sleep in their vehicles at a remote intersection where two provincial highways meet.

Monique Lacroix and her group of five left Levack on Friday morning, heading to Cochrane for a snowmobile race.

When the event wrapped up on Sunday, they tried to rush home but couldn’t make it before the highway closed.

“We left Friday morning from Levack up to Cochrane for a snowmobile race,” Lacroix said.

“Then, when we were done racing Sunday, we tried to rush to get back home, but we didn’t make it.”

Sheltering at the Watershed

The group has been stranded since Sunday night at the Watershed 144 gas bar and restaurant, located at the junction of Highways 144 and 560. They are currently sleeping in their vehicles, but said they’re grateful for the amenities available at the 24-hour establishment.

“There’s everything here that you need other than a shower and a bed for us,” Lacroix said.

The Watershed has become an impromptu shelter for stranded travellers.

“I spoke to a couple of them this morning -- one is from Lively and the other from Naughton,” said Lacroix and her group.

“So they’re a ways away. Some people that I did speak to were from Ottawa.”

Controlled reopenings underway

Ontario Provincial Police Const. Kyler Brouwer said that a Ministry of Transportation snowplow, followed by an OPP cruiser, reopened Highway 11 northbound on Tuesday.

“During this time, it is … still under controlled reopening. So, we’re asking people not to pass, especially not the lead vehicles. But even within the convoy itself,” said Brouwer.

“We’ll get it open and we’ll get it open safely.”

Stay informed

Similar controlled openings will take place across the northeast as weather and road conditions allow.

Brouwer and the OPP recommend motorists review 511on.ca for the most up-to-date information about highway closures and reopenings.

RELATED STORIES:

• Ontario slammed: Heavy snow, highway closures, and thousands without power
• Sault, Sudbury hardest hit by massive March storm
• Most municipal services still closed in Sudbury after major winter storm
• Major winter storm affects services, highways across northeastern Ont.
• Clear exhaust vents from snow, Sudbury officials remind residents