After multiple crashes along Hwy. 401 Thursday, Jan. 23, Northumberland OPP has confirmed that all lanes along the highway have reopened.
This includes the westbound lanes in Colborne, where the latest crashes were reported, and in Brighton, where a closure was put in place earlier in the day due to a crash. The eastbound lanes near Grafton reopened around 2 p.m. Thursday.
A traffic recap by OPP is anticipated Friday. However, an OPP spokesperson said no life-altering or life-threatening injuries were reported throughout the day (as of 4:30 p.m.)
Environment Canada has also ended its snow squall warning for the region.
STORIES PUBLISHED EARLIER THURSDAY
Northumberland OPP say Hwy. 401 westbound is closed due to two collisions.
One collision is west of Colborne, and a second is east of Colborne, where traffic is backed up to Lake Road, say police.
Diversions are in place at County Road 30 in Brighton.
“The highway is not accessible for westbound traffic at Brighton or Colborne,” said OPP, in an updated post to X Thursday afternoon.
Westbound lanes are open at Lyle in Grafton. The eastbound lanes at Grafton reopened earlier in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Northumberland County also posted to X Thursday afternoon about additional road closures.
For vehicle and community safety, the post states that County Road 21 (Dundonald Road) between County Road 25 and 30 has been closed, citing this isn’t a designated detour route.
Emergency crews have been busy Thursday responding to multiple crashes that shut down stretches along Hwy. 401.
A Northumberland OPP spokesperson confirmed the eastbound highway reopened at Grafton just after 2 p.m.; however, westbound at Brighton remained closed.
Just after noon Thursday, initial reports pointed to 11 collisions (however, sometimes people report the same crashes.)
Police continue to urge residents to follow the emergency diversion routes (EDR) in place and to stay off roads that are not deemed EDRs, such as Telephone Road.
Police are stressing that following the EDRs is “crucial” during closures. Police are also continuing to ask motorists to slow down and increase the distance between vehicles to minimize the risk of more collisions.
“Tow trucks are doing their best to assist. Emergency services are all out helping,” added the spokesperson.
Earlier today, Northumberland OPP issued a travel advisory, describing roads as “becoming increasingly hazardous” and noted poor visibility, while urging residents to avoid all non-essential travel as heavy snowfall is anticipated throughout the county.
As previously reported, Environment Canada has issued a snow squall warning for the region, calling for 10 to 20 cm of snow.
There’s no word yet on any injuries.
We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
#NthldOPP continue in response to multiple collisions in Northumberland County. #HWY401 EB is closed at Grafton. #HWY401 WB is closed at Brighton. Please follow emergency diversion routes. Tow trucks are working hard to remove vehicles involved in collisions. Updates when… pic.twitter.com/bOCE2NPfA9
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) January 23, 2025