Hwy 17 CLOSED (Alona Bay Washout) – 9:36 a.m. UPDATE

---

Jul 24, 2017 @ 09:36

There has not been a press release from the OPP, but Ontario511 is saying that Highway 17 is open one lane, alternating traffic. The highway has been open since 8:29 a.m.

e

 

Jul 24, 2017 @ 07:36 – There is not much news yet on the highway closures this morning. Highway 17 at the Alona Bay Lookout is still closed.

 

Detour for Hwy 17 – Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa via Hwy 129.

Leave Sault Ste. Marie for Sudbury going east on Highway 17. Travel to Junction of 17/129 about 90kms east of Sault Ste. Marie. Turn left onto Hwy 129 and travel 215 kilometres to Junction of 101/129. Continue straight (unless you are heading into Chapleau for gas/snack) towards Wawa. Travel 120 kilometres on Highway 101 to Wawa. At Wawa you can then rejoin Hwy 17 and head west.

This is a five hour trip, and Wawa-news is unsure of gas along this route (except in Chapleau), so be sure to have full tanks.

 

Jul 23, 2017 @ 21:06 – The weather may impact the efforts to repair and reopen Highway 17. It was closed earlier this morning because of a washout at the Alona Bay Lookout. Environment Canada warns, “A slow moving disturbance near Sault Ste Marie is expected to generate significant rainfall amounts for areas east of Lake Superior. Radar indicates persistent rain at times heavy continues to fall near and east of Sault Ste Marie. Total Rainfall amounts of 25 to 40 mm are likely with locally higher amounts of 60 mm in thunderstorms. Rainfall should taper off this evening.”

 

 

Jul 23, 2017 @ 12:10 – Environment Canada has issued the following at 11:23 a.m.:
Special weather statement in effect for:

• Sault Ste. Marie – St. Joseph Island
• Searchmont – Montreal River Harbour – Batchawana Bay

A slow moving disturbance near Sault Ste Marie is expected to generate significant rainfall amounts for areas east of Lake Superior. Radar indicates persistent rain at times heavy continues to fall near and east of Sault Ste Marie. Total Rainfall amounts of 25 to 40 mm are likely with locally higher amounts of 60 mm in thunderstorms. Rainfall should taper off this evening.

 

Jul 23, 2017 @ 12:00 – Ontario511 has tweeted at 11 this morning “Update: #AlonaBay: #Hwy17 is fully closed in both directions between #Wawa & #Batchawana due to #Flooding in the area.”

IF you travel 129 to 101 and 17 please take care through the construction zones – the heavy rain has wreaked havoc on the gravel, and there may be significant potholes.

 

Jul 23, 2017 @ 11:43 – Highway 17 is closed this morning due to severe washouts at Alona Bay. Apparently there may be 2′ of water over the road surface.

Travellers can take the Ranger Lake Highway to Highway 129 but this is not recommended for transports. The best way is to take Hwy 129 (Thessalon) to Hwy 101 and then to Wawa to Hwy 101/17 Junction.

This may have been a side effect of the heavy rainstorm that came though the area about 3 this morning.