THUNDER BAY – The northern winter roads network provides a vital connection for transportation in Northern Ontario. Via the winter roads, critical goods, diesel fuel, construction equipment, and housing needs can be delivered to northern remote communities.
As of the latest report on January 31, 2020 – North Caribou Lake First Nation remains the only community that can be accessed by transport trucks with full loads.
There are six communities where the winter road is currently closed as of the time of this report. Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Wapekeka, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, and Wunnumin Lake.
Thirty-four of Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s 49 member First Nations are remote, accessible only by air or seasonal roads. The winter road network. The winter road network consists of five district corridors, stretching over approximately 2,800 kilometers across NAN territory, with each corridor connecting a series of First Nations.
In total there are 29 First Nations connected:
Corridor 1 – Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, North Spirit Lake, Deer Lake & Sandy Lake
Corridor 2 – North Caribou, Keewaywin, Koocheching, Muskrat, Sachigo, Bearskin & Cat Lake
Corridor 3 – Wunnumin, Wawakapewin, Kingfisher, Kasabonika, Wapekeka & Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (see Closure Notice)
Corridor 4 – Neskantaga, Webequie, Nibinamik, Eabametoong & Marten Falls
Corridor 5 – Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan & Moose Cree
Corridor 6 – Fort Severn & Weenusk
As of Friday, January 31, 2020:
Road Capacity Overview – 31 Winter Road Connected Communities
Communities Under construction: 6
Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: 6
Communities Open to Light: 15
Communities Open to Partial: 3
Communities Open to Full: 1
Corridor One – Western Corridor: Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, North Spirit Lake, Deer Lake, Sandy Lake, Keewaywin (realignment and road opening anticipated this winter road season)
Under Construction: Sandy Lake, Keewaywin
Open to Light: Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, Deer Lake
Open to Partial Loads: North Spirit Lake
Open to Full: none
Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: none
Corridor Two – Central Corridor: North Caribou Lake, Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake, Cat Lake
Under Construction: Cat Lake
Open to Light: Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake
Open to Partial Loads: none
Full Loads: North Caribou Lake
Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: none
Corridor Three – Middle Corridor: Kingfisher Lake, Wunnumin Lake, Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekaka
Under Construction: none
Open to Light: (Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Wapekeka, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wunnumin Lake)
Open to Partial Loads: none
Open to Full Loads: none
Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Wapekeka, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wunnumin Lake
Corridor Four – Eastern Corridor: Neskantaga, Nibinamik, Webequie, Eabametoong, Marten Falls
Under Construction: Marten Falls
Open to Light: Eabametoong, Webequie
Open to Partial Loads: Nibinamik, Neskantaga
Open to Full Loads: none
Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: none
Corridor Five – Far North Corridors: Moose Cree, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat, Weenusk, Fort Severn
Under Construction: Fort Severn, Weenusk
Open to Light: Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat, Moose Cree
Open to Partial Loads: none
Open to Full Loads: none
Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: none
Other Winter Road Connected First Nations: Temagami, Animaki Wa Zhing #37, Northwest Angle #33
Under Construction: none
Open to Light: Animakee Wa Zhing #37, Northwest Angle #33, Temagami
Open to Partial Loads none
Open to Full Loads: none
Temporarily Closed Due to Weather: none
