Part of Highway 401 was shut down Friday as snowfall moved across southern Ontario, creating hazardous driving conditions and multiple crashes. Snow began falling in the Greater Toronto Area around 11 a.m., with forecasts calling for up to 15 centimetres in some locations.
According to Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, eastbound lanes of Highway 401 were fully closed just past Guelph Line around 11:30 a.m. following a collision involving two tractor-trailers. Debris from the crash was scattered across all lanes. The roadway remained shut down for several hours before reopening fully around 3 p.m. One person was taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The westbound lanes of Highway 401 were also closed at Cedar Creek Road in Ayr shortly after 11 a.m. following several collisions linked to poor weather and slippery road conditions. Minor injuries were reported.
At one point, crews briefly reopened a single westbound lane to help move traffic that had been backed up on the highway. However, authorities said some drivers were not adjusting their speed to match the conditions, which complicated efforts to clear the scene.
Police said transport trucks were involved in the crash and that the incident also resulted in an oil spill. Most westbound lanes between Cedar Creek Road and Oxford Road 29 reopened shortly before 6 p.m. Authorities continued to urge drivers to slow down and prioritize safety while travelling in the winter conditions.