Trans Canada North from Wawa Still Out

WAWA, ON — Highway 17 northbound between Wawa and White River could be out of commission for most of the week, the Ontario Provincial Police told todaystrucking.com Monday morning.

Following a severe storm late last week, the Wawa mayor declared a state of emergency and many of the trucks traveling north from Wawa have been rerouted along highway 101 to Chapleau and then along 11 to Nipigon.

“It’s our only choice,” one local trucking dispatcher told todaystrucking.com. “but we’ll do it. If we’re compensated.”

A storm destroyed major portions of the TransCanada on the weekend but two southbound lanes have been reopened, albeit with gravel sections.

A speed caution is in effect. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is advising drivers to use extreme care.

A state of emergency has also been declared in the Michipicoten First Nation, which is about 16 kilometers outside Wawa.

When a reporter from todaystrucking.com attempted to get an interview with Keith Spencer Trucking, a carrier located in the heart of the storm-truck area in the community of Dubreuiville, the phone went unanswered. The police said afterwards phone service was is still down in a part of the region.