HIGHWAY 17 – Listed as Closed BUT OPP REGULATING TRAFFIC
WINTER CONDITIONS BLASTING NORTH WEST REGION HIGHWAYS
HWY 17 NORTHSHORE, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists that winter weather conditions are impacting local highways within the North West Region. In particular, Highway 17 from Terrace Bay east to White River is listed as closed by the Ministry of Transportation due to ice and snow conditions.
October 11, 2012 at 8:06 am, Thunder Bay OPP Provincial Communication Centre (PCC) issued a Road Advisory to alert motorists to drive with caution on Highway 17 particularly in the areas of Thunder Bay east to Marathon. In speaking with OPP officers in those detachment areas, snow is falling heavily resulting in several commercial vehicles becoming stuck on hill areas of Highway 17, along the north shore of Lake Superior. In addition, officers are responding to collisions related to snowfall and resulting black ice conditions.
OPP is working with Ministry of Transportation to regulate traffic along this section of highway to allow MTO snow removal crews to complete their work. The public is asked to drive with caution to permit crews to complete their work safely. Weather radar indicates that this weather system will improve over the course of the day but motorists are asked to be patient or choose to travel this section of highway after the storm clears.
The public is asked to refrain from calling the OPP PCC to inquire about road conditions. Information regarding Ontario road closures is available by calling 511 – The Ontario Travellers Information Service.
