OPP, MTO, contractors aim to upgrade winter highway maintenance

As winter continues to approach, crews that look after highways in the region get ready for action.

Last week, a meeting was held between Ontario Provincial Police, the Ministry of Transportation and the companies contracted to maintain the roads.

OPP inspector Mark Andrews said the annual meeting is to discuss the upcoming winter and what could be improved on from previous winters.

Extreme weather played a role last winter, causing problems on local highways, he said.

Highway 17 north of Sault Ste. Marie was closed so many times thats just because of the weather patterns coming off of Lake Superior we just couldnt keep it clear, he said.

Thats an unusual thing. We do get the odd storm, but last year, we got some really horrific storms.

Andrews said this winter, more information will be going out to the public through social media, including reminders to check the forecast and conditions before heading out.

Some of the weather events that we had last season were some of the worse weve ever seen and completely uncontrollable, he said.

There were times when the snow was coming down so fast, the plows couldnt keep up with it and we had to close the highway [until] the plows could catch up with it.

Andrews said motorists are encouraged to check the forecast, and if police see a severe weather system is moving towards the area, a notice will go out advising motorists to plan ahead and possibly change their travel plans.