After hours of madness; poor conditions; and multiple collisions, OPP finally fully re-opened Highway 11 on both the northbound and southbound sides.
Police say the initial crash occurred in the southbound lanes near Line 1 around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, which they estimated involved roughly 20 to 30 vehicles. The closure allowed emergency crews to assess road conditions and clear the scene.
In a post on social media, Oro-Medonte Township Fire Chief Roree Payment said the collision involved at least 40 vehicles, and one person was trapped, with multiple vehicles on fire "impinging" on a gasoline tanker truck.
Orillia OPP say minor injuries were reported and the fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters. As many as two dozen motorists were evacuated from their vehicles with those stranded transported to a nearby warming centre.
Snow squall and cold warnings were in effect for much of the region throughout Friday.
Even where there are no flurries or squalls, visibility on area roads had been significantly reduced, especially in open areas, due to blowing and drifting snow.
Police say that Northbound and southbound lanes between Penetanguishene Road (Simcoe County Road 93) and Line 4 were reopened around 6 p.m. with MTO crews remaining on-scene to repair damaged guardrails. Earlier in the day, that stretch was closed as far north as Line 15.
Meanwhile, in Bracebridge, Highway 11 was blocked on the northbound side at Brodie Lane due to a jackknifed tractor-trailer. OPP said on social media that a full re-opening of the route didn't occur until 5:10 a.m. on Saturday.
At that time, many of the OPP's remaining road closures in the region were in northern Springwater, southern Tiny, and in Clearwater.
Motorists are asked to continue driving with caution through the area, to avoid unnecessary travel, and ensure vehicles are equipped with emergency supplies.
