Thunder Bay – WINTER ROADS – The weather conditions have made getting the winter roads going a lot harder this year. Warmer temperatures mean ice doesn’t form and set as deep as quickly as possible.
2021 Update #1
Over 21,000 people in remote, usually fly-in communities across the North benefit from the winter road network. Many of the construction materials needed for building homes, and other structures in northern communities can only come in on the winter roads.
Funding for Ontario’s Winter Roads was announced on January 14, 2021. Ontario Minister of Indigenous Services Greg Rickford stated, “Winter roads are a lifeline for remote communities, as they provide vital connections to all-season roads. By providing multi-year funding, our government is reducing the administrative burden, supporting economic development and enabling our northern communities to plan more effectively for upcoming winter roads seasons.”
In this report, all of the winter road conditions and road status could change at any moment for various reasons.
Only North Caribou Lake is fully open as of today. Northwest Angle #33 is open to partial loads and Animaki Wa Zhing #37 is open only to light loads.
The majority of winter roads are under construction.
CONTACT the First Nation for any COVID-19 Restrictions or Lockdown Updates Before Travel
It is strongly encouraged for all travelers to contact the First Nation for the most up to date information on the winter road status prior to traveling, including whether roads are open for travel as temporary closures do take place on the roads, even when at full load capacity.
Information is updated as it is received.
Where new information isn’t received from the community, weekly the load capacity will be listed as per the previous weeks information.
Friday January 15, 2021 Overview
Road Capacity Overview – 31 Winter Road Connected Communities
Communities Under construction: 27
Communities Open to Light: 1
Communities Open to Partial: 2
Communities Open to Full: 1
Corridor One – Western Corridor: Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, North Spirit Lake, Deer Lake, Sandy Lake, Keewaywin
Under Construction: Poplar Hill, Sandy Lake, Keewaywin, North Spirit Lake, Deer Lake
Open to Partial Loads: Pikangikum
Corridor Two – Central Corridor: North Caribou Lake, Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake, Cat Lake
Under Construction: Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake, Cat Lake
Open to Full Loads:: North Caribou Lake
Corridor Three – Middle Corridor: Kingfisher Lake, Wunnumin Lake, Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekeka<
Under Construction: Wunnumin Lake, Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekeka, Kingfisher Lake
Corridor Four – Eastern Corridor: Neskantaga, Nibinamik, Webequie, Eabametoong, Marten Falls
Under Construction: Neskantaga, Nibinamik,,Webequie, Eabametoong, Marten Falls
Corridor Five – Far North Corridors: Moose Cree, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat, Weenusk, Fort Severn
Note, Moose Cree is not constructing southern road, Wetum Road, this year, however, the community will connect to the Township of Moosonee)
Under Construction: Fort Severn, Weenusk, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moose Cree, Attawapiskat
Other Winter Road Connected First Nations: Temagami, Animaki Wa Zhing #37, Northwest Angle #33
Under Construction: Temagami
Open to Light: Animaki Wa Zhing #37
Open to Partial Loads: Northwest Angle #33
This is not an official road notice and should not be used to determine whether road conditions are safe for travel.
