Ottawa police are urging drivers to be cautious, as roads are snow-covered and slippery Tuesday morning.
Roads are snow-covered Tuesday morning after more than 10 centimetres of snow fell on Ottawa overnight in a spring snowstorm.
“We have reports of multiple collisions this morning. Please slow down and increase your stopping distance,” police urged.
Be careful out there, #Ottawa. The roads are snow-covered and slippery. We have reports of multiple collisions this morning. Please slow down and increase your stopping distance. #OttTraffic https://t.co/6idNC5IZXC
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 8, 2025
Ottawa police reported 52 crashes that required a police response between midnight and 9:30 a.m., with all but one occurring since 6 a.m. Tuesday. Police said this does not include those that were directly referred to collision reporting centres, nor those in OPP and RCMP jurisdiction, such as Highway 417 or the NCC parkways, respectively.
The Ottawa OPP said they responded to 18 collisions between 5 and 11 a.m.
Ottawa Fire Services said some of the crashes required their assistance to extricate people who were trapped in vehicles.
Since 06:00, Firefighters have responded to 50 motor vehicle collisions across #Ottawa, including collisions where occupants were trapped inside their vehicle and needed to be extricated out. #OttNews pic.twitter.com/5aByrebVbK
— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) April 8, 2025
Among them was a crash on Boundary Road between Thunder and Mitch Owens roads involving a school bus. Ottawa police said no children were on the school bus at the time. Boundary Road was closed in the area for the crash.
Boundary Road is closed between Thunder Road and Mitch Owens Road for a collision. Please avoid the area.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 8, 2025
Although a school bus was involved in the collision, we can confirm that no students were on board at the time. #OttTraffic pic.twitter.com/oO5upzCfz7
The road reopened at around 8:45 a.m.
Crash detours 12 OC Transpo routes
A collision in the west end where buses join with the Kichi Zibi Mikan led to significant detours for OC Transpo riders Tuesday morning.
The crash was in the area of the Transitway where it joins the west-end parkway near the Ottawa River. A traffic camera image from the area showed several buses backed up.
“Shortly before 6:40 a.m., a bus travelling on the Kichi Zibi Mikan was involved in a multi-vehicle collision. No injuries have been reported and all 8 passengers were transferred to another bus to continue on their journey,” a statement from OC Transpo said. “A review is underway better understand the circumstances that led to this morning’s incident. Bus service travelling through the affected area was placed on detour until approximately 8:30 a.m. This resulted in extended travel times due to high traffic in the surrounding area.”
The Kichi Zibi Mikan was experiencing significant backups through the morning commute hours. Eastbound lanes were closed in the area.
Kichi Zībī Mīkan is experiencing gridlock conditions in both directions due to a collision between Carling and Island Park - avoid area. Use other routes. Duration unknown. #otttraffic
— Ottawa_Traffic (@Ottawa_Traffic) April 8, 2025
OC Transpo said the collision meant detours for a dozen routes.
Routes 57, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 73, 74, 75, 82, 87, and 164 heading to Tunney’s Pasture were being detoured, according to OC Transpo’s website.
DETOUR: Route 57, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 73, 74, 75, 82, 87, 164 Tunney's Pasture directions near Kichi Zibi Mikan/Dominion.https://t.co/MxuLyWUTzu
— OC Transpo Helps (@OC_TranspoHelps) April 8, 2025
The crash was in RCMP jurisdiction, but Ottawa police, who were on scene to assist, said multiple vehicles were involved, but there were no reported injuries.
“With current road conditions, trip times may be longer. Plan ahead, allow extra time and be careful boarding, exiting, and at station platforms,” OC Transpo said.
