OPP closes stretch of Hwy. 400 in Barrie due to ‘near-zero visibility’
Posted February 3, 2023 4:09 pm.
Last Updated February 3, 2023 8:38 pm.
Citing “multiple collisions” and “near zero visibility” the OPP closed Highway 400 in Barrie between Highway 89 and Mapleview Drive for several hours Friday afternoon.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said all traffic along the stretch was forced off the highway by emergency crews.
“We are dealing with extreme winter weather right now,” Schmidt said in a Twitter video. “Blowing snow, lots of wind, dangerous conditions here (with) crashes happening all up and down that area.
“Stay off the roads if you can,” he advised.”
From blue skies and clear roads to white out conditions in 30 seconds. #Hwy400 – Vaughan to Barrie. pic.twitter.com/gZqmSw1NAS
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) February 4, 2023
Police said the stretch of highway was reopened around 7 p.m.
Schmidt said driving conditions were treacherous throughout the Barrie, Isnisfil, and South-Simcoe regions.
“If you are on the roads make yourself as visible as you can, have your full headlighting system on and give yourself lots of distance to stop in case you need to stop suddenly.”
Environment Canada has issued a snow squall warning throughout much of cottage country, including Barrie, Parry Sound-Muskoka and Algonquin, where local snowfall accumulations could be between 15 to 25 cm.
Environment Canada has also issued an extreme cold warning for Toronto and much of southern Ontario.
