A long stretch of the main throughway from eastern Ontario is closed following what police are calling several collisions involving dozens of vehicles.
Provincial police said that Highway 401 westbound is closed at St. Hillaire Road in Trenton, and many collisions are reported in the area between Glen Miller and Wallbridge Loyalist roads, near Belleville.
Officers say an estimated 50 vehicles are involved. There are no reports of life-threatening or serious injuries linked to crashes, police said.
The highway through this portion of Ontario is snow-covered as of Tuesday, after a wicked winter storm ripped through the province. Estimates put the Belleville, Ont. area at receiving 35 centimetres of snow from the Sunday evening system.
Vehicles are being routed off the highway at Wallbridge Road, but from traffic cameras, it appears to be a lengthy process.
Buses are gathering stranded motorists and are bringing them to the Trenton Arena where a warming centre has been set up. Drivable vehicles are being cleared from the westbound lanes, and tow trucks are on standby, police said in a 12:12 p.m. update.
Officials are warning of a “prolonged closure.”
“OPP recognizes extended highway closures can be frustrating. Crews are working towards reopening highway as quickly as possible,” it notes.
This is a developing story.
Traffic is being routed off Highway 401 at Wallbridge Loyalist Road near Belleville. (Ontario Traffic Cameras)
Snow squalls with 5-10 cm possible
There is a yellow warning from Environment Canada along this portion of Lake Ontario. It notes that reduced visibility from heavy blowing snow is expected over the next few hours.
The localized note from the weather agency says that it is primarily south along the highway corridor.
“Poor visibility due to intense snowfall rates and local blowing snow will be the predominant hazard,” it reads. “Snow squalls will move south of the area through the afternoon.”
The treacherous conditions are likely to play a role in the several crashes reported along the highway near Kingston on Tuesday.
Multiple transport trucks appear to have crashed on Highway 401 near Kingston, which closed that portion of the roadway on Jan. 27. (OPP)
Second large impact to Hwy. 401
This follows another highway closure after a snowstorm earlier this month.
On Jan. 15, as lake-effect snow whipped through the area, drivers on Highway 401 between Lansdowne and Mallorytown, near Brockville, were stopped after two serious crashes.
OPP said at least 20 vehicles were involved, but the crashes also created a backlog of hundreds of drivers stuck behind the mess. One child was transported to hospital with serious injuries. Other injuries were reported.
OPP did not have an exact number on those sent to hospital.