HWY. 11 CLOSED BOTH DIRECTIONS; GPS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH DETOURS RISKING MORE ACCIDENTS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — GPS detours that have redirected vehicles onto alternate routes to bypass the highway closures have unfortunately caused more chaos.

The OPP said tonight in an update this has led to Cooper’s Falls Road and Housey’s Rapids Road becoming impassable, as several vehicles are now stuck in the snow.

In this situation, your GPS may not provide accurate directions and could send you onto roads that have been closed or are treacherous.

So keeping up with the snow loads and road closures is causing confusion and frustration for some drivers.

Police and other emergency services have been keeping up with calls using their snowmobiles to reach drivers stuck on roads. They urge people to wait in their vehicles and not proceed out on foot. Photos OPP

As Hwy. 11 remains closed Sunday between Hwy. 60 in Huntsville and West Street in Orillia the OPP continues to urge the public to avoid travelling and stay home in the impacted area of Gravenhurst and throughout parts of Muskoka.

They say additional vehicles on the roads puts occupants at risk and add additional challenges for snow removal operators.

Highway 11 is expected to remain closed during the evening in both directions.

Also many sections of Hwy. 11 are also closed and many other roads in the area are closed or not driveable.

Tractor trailers are asked to use Hwy. 35 and Hwy 400 in the meantime.

Which is why several large rigs have been spotted passing west through Gravenhurst where District Road 169 remains open and cleared as a priority.

Police and municipal officials assure snow removal crews are working hard to keep up with continuing lighter snowfall, providing an all-hands-on-deck response to the ongoing snow event.

OPP officers, paramedics and firefighters have been using snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles to check on stranded motorists.

If you are low on fuel and still moving, they say seriously consider finding a safe place to park until you are able to safely get to a gas station or someone can safely bring fuel to you.

Anyone who finds themselves stranded is advised to stay with their vehicle and not venture out on foot. Pedestrians could become lost, or face hazards posed by snow removal equipment.

If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 911. Please call the OPP non-emergency number, 1-888-310-1122 for all other matters. Our Communications Centres have been flooded with calls, so please be patient and ensure the 9-1-1 lines are used only for life-threatening matters.

Please refer to 511on.ca/ for road condition updates.

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