Icy conditions make for treacherous morning commute on GTA roads
Posted November 30, 2022 10:48 pm.
Last Updated December 1, 2022 11:24 am.
It’s shaping up to be a tricky commute for those driving into Toronto from the west on Thursday morning.
A winter weather travel advisory has come to an end for most of the GTA after it was issued late Wednesday evening. Snow squalls and blowing snow are still expected for areas north and northwest of the city.
The icy conditions were causing major issues on GTA highways through the morning rush, especially on routes in the west-end of the region. You can listen live for the latest traffic updates by clicking the link below.
Listen to CityNews 680 LIVE now!The southbound 427 express lanes were closed south of Burnhamthorpe to the QEW due to a fatal collision involving four vehicles. The lanes have since reopened after crews salted the road.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says a broken down transport truck around Dundas Street was blocking part of a lane and approaching vehicles ended up losing control due to the road conditions. Schmidt confirms one person — a 32-year-old driver from Mississauga — is dead as a result of the crash.
“Be aware of changing traffic conditions and patterns because of closures and collisions,” says Schmidt. “Please be careful out there.”
Fatal crash: #Hwy427/QEW sb, serious collision #Hwy401/Dixie wb, oil spill #Hwy401/Mill eb, multiple collisions #Hwy401/Hurontario wb. pic.twitter.com/pUkwLkdxyp
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) December 1, 2022
A stretch of the westbound Highway 401 express lanes were shut down through Mississauga from Highway 410 to Hurontario for another serious collision. Several other crashes were causing lane closures around the city.
Environment Canada had warned of heavy flurries and blowing snow through the overnight with reduced visibility due to “heavy bursts of snow and blowing snow.”
“Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly,” the weather agency said.
“Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.”
Be careful and take it slow if you have to drive this morning. The roads across the west GTA have turned to sheets of ice in some areas including here on Burnhamthorpe at the 427. Updates in CityNews 680 traffic. pic.twitter.com/NXfSNpPxgL
— Kevin Misener (@Kevin_Misener) December 1, 2022
In Toronto, a forecasted high of 2 C is expected for Thursday, with a chance of flurries. Temperatures will rise on Friday to a high near 6 C and cloudy skies.
It will stay milder than usual on Saturday with rain expected and a high of 10 C before cooling down on Sunday to 2 C and our next chance at sunny skies.
