‘Let’s give it one more day,’ OPP warn of another nightmare commute Tuesday

“If you can stay home, just stay home.”

That’s the message from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on Tuesday morning with the GTA still reeling from Monday’s punishing winter storm that left behind historic snowfall — recommending motorists once again stay home unless they absolutely must leave the house.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt tweeted a video on Tuesday morning advising that problems continued on major highways across the region.

“We have got vehicles stuck, we have got jackknifed transport trucks, we have got traffic that is building probably bigger than what we had yesterday,” says Schmidt.

“This is still going to be a long morning.”

#OnStorm hangover. We have multiple incidents across the #GTA with vehicles stuck and jackknifed transport truck. https://t.co/lhql3E24mW

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 18, 2022

The eastbound express lanes of Highway 401 remained shut down for most of the morning from east of the 427 to east of the 400 as crews continued to dig out the dozens of tractor-trailers that were left behind from the storm.

OPP tweeted out another video late Monday of the trucks failing to drive out on the highway between Weston and Keele in the express and collector lanes.

Schmidt estimated that as of 11 p.m. on Monday, there were roughly 1,000 motionless transport trucks on Hwy. 401 around Kipling and Islington. Some drivers, Schmidt says, had been stuck for up to 12 hours as crews work to get them running as fast as possible.

“We’re having problems with that. The plows have not been able to get through here,” Schmidt said in the video. “Slowly but surely we’re going to try and get these guys rolling.”

Schmidt, who spoke to at least one trucker, recommended that stranded drivers ration their gas, stay warm and dry, and eat any snacks in their vehicle while they wait for help.

“You picked a bad day to be driving here today.”

RELATED: Toronto and GTA extreme weather centre – CityNews Toronto

Some GTA drivers were stuck on a part of Highway 401 for over eight hours on Monday.

Justin — whose vehicle was grounded in the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 401 express near Leslie Street — was stranded for over nine hours before his car was finally freed.

“The traffic was already really bad. There was almost zero visibility,” he said. “So, everyone was at least playing it pretty safe, it was super slow. Everyone had their four ways on, and then all of a sudden, just as we were approaching Leslie, everything came to a sudden stop.”

Justin says he was on his way home from work when things took a turn for the worse. Cars and trucks, including his, would move 50 feet in a span of hours.

“It was like trying to try to stop a hurricane with an umbrella. We didn’t really get very far. It was nice to see people coming together, though; I will say that.”

Another Toronto woman named Lindsay said she tried using the section of the highway to get groceries. As it turns out, that was a bad idea.

“I thought it would be quick. In and out. I haven’t moved since 11 a.m. and am getting low on gas,” she told CityNews. “Thankfully, we’re starting to move now. What a day. I will never forget this.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation says maintenance vehicles were deployed within 30 minutes of the start of the storm to spread sand and salt.

“In preparation, MTO’s winter maintenance crews were deployed yesterday evening, prior to the snowfall,  and have been operating continuously to clear the roads, get traffic moving and keep drivers safe.  All snowplows continue to be in operation,” Dakota Brasier said in an email.

“The ministry is working diligently with our towing partners and the OPP to safely clear our highways and rescue any stranded motorists. Our partners are providing resources, like fuel, water, and food, to high-priority areas along provincial highways, and will continue to do so.”

Schmidt called the conditions a “total nightmare” for drivers.

“I am scared it’s going to take some time, I am afraid,” the sergeant said.

“One car gets jammed up, another vehicle comes along and slows down. It’s a ripple effect.”

With files from the Canadian Press