What drivers need to know about the Highway 401 closure that could last days
CTV
A portion of Highway 401 is closed near Pickering following a fiery crash that left two people dead and at least one Ministry of Transportation official is now warning that some lane closures could remain in effect into Friday.
A portion of Highway 401 is closed near Pickering following a fiery crash that left two people dead and at least one Ministry of Transportation official is now warning that some lane closures could remain in effect into Friday.
Ontario Provincial Police have said that a tanker truck carrying a full load of “highly flammable” liquid was travelling in the eastbound lanes of the highway near Brock Road late Tuesday night when its driver lost control, crashed through a barrier and created a “massive fireball” in the westbound lanes of the highway.
OPP say that the flames from that explosion then spread to an oncoming transport truck and passenger vehicle.
Eastbound traffic is currently being forced off the highway at Brock Road while westbound traffic is being forced off at Liverpool Road.
Here is everything you need to know about the closure:
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt told CP24 that restoring the roadway in order to let some traffic through could be an “all-day affair” at a minimum due to the significant damage caused by the fire. He said that before the road can be reopened, crews will have to inspect the overpass at Brock Road and asses its structural integrity. He said that a large portion of the road will also have to be resurfaced and some light standards which were damaged in the blaze will have to be replaced.
"This will be an all-day affair for sure. There is a lot of work to be done,” he said.