Updated Jan. 19 at 1:13 p.m.
The Ontario Provincial Police issued a release just as noon hour closed to inform drivers that all highways have been re-opened.
The OPP closed the highways this morning due to poor road and weather conditions:
The closed roadways included:
Highway 69 from McFarlane lake Road to all points south;
Highway 17 from the lights in Coniston to Regioal Road 55 west (Whitefish turn off)—including the southwest and southeast bypasses;
Highway 637 to Killarney;
Highway 537;
Estaire Road and Nelson Road.
Original Story
High winds, and blowing and falling snow all contributed to Sudbury's second snow day this week.
The Ontario Provincial Police has re-opened Highway 69 from Sudbury to Highway 637 (Kilarney turnoff) after closing it for several hours. McFarlane Lake Road to all point south remain closed due to weather conditions.
Highway 17 is closed from the lights in Coniston to Regional Road 55 west (Whitefish turnoff) including the southwest and southeast bypasses.
Highway 537 is also closed, as is Estaire Road and Nelson Road.
OPP are advising all motorists to stay off the highways until further notice to allow snow removal crews to clear the snow from the roadways. Driving on a closed highway is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.
Poor visibility resulted in dangerous driving conditions. This truck ended up in a ditch in Azilda. Photo by Arron Pickard.
While local school children might be happy about a snow day, their parents, forced to shovel out yet again, probably don't have the same feelings.
The snow is expected to taper off to flurries today, with only about one centimetre expected to fall this afternoon. Winds, which have gusted at times to more than 50 km/h, are expected to be moderately less fierce.
The forecasted temperature for the afternoon is -4 degrees, with a -11 wind chill.
A snow squall warning remained in effect this morning, and Environment Canada said to expect upwards of 15 centimetres of snow from the weather system sitting atop the northeast.
Reduced visibility and snow-covered roads made for slow morning traffic, and caution and patience are the name of the game for drivers.
School buses have been cancelled in the Sudbury district due to the snow squall which hit the region early Jan. 19.
All schools remain open, however.
School buses are running on Manitoulin Island and in Espanola.
Posted by Arron Pickard
