Winter roads wiped out

Unseasonably warm weather has wrecked havoc on winter roads across northern Ontario.
Nishnawbe-Aski Police (NAPS) issued a warning for travellers on March 20, cautioning that most northwestern Ontario winter roads have closed.
The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) has also announced that nearly all northern Ontario winter roads are closed.
Drivers who choose to travel the roads need to be aware that they may end up stranded en route.
“Persons choosing to travel should ensure they bring adequate supplies of food and clothing with them in their vehicles,” NAPS stated in a press release, adding that the police have had several incidents where vehicles have gotten stuck on a winter road in the northwest region.
“Most important is that travellers ensure that either police or someone knows of their travel plans and expected arrival time and location,” NAPS said.
Terry Bryson of MNDM’s Transportation and Infrastructure Unit said the majority of winter roads across the north closed on March 16. Last weekend’s warm weather just confirmed that the winter road season is done.
“There’s no chance they’ll be getting them back,” Bryson said.
He noted that the while the actual winter road season was only one week shorter than it usually is, the full-load season was two weeks shorter than normal. That may have effects on the amount of supplies communities brought in to last the summer season.