THUNDER BAY – Northern communities rely on the winter road network to get critical supplies into the people via transport trucks. Many people make trips out to visit friends and to get to larger centers for shopping.
Thunder Bay, Dryden, Kenora, and many other centers benefit from the shoppers traveling south to stock up on supplies.
This week only the Fort Severn Winter Road is the only one open only to light loads.
Here is the latest Winter Roads Update from Nishnawbe Aski Nation:
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, February 28, 2020:
NOTICE: Please contact communities directly for travel information. Some winter roads may close temporarily over the weekend due to warm temperatures and maintenance, or be designated night travel only to maintain the integrity of the roads and ensure the roads do not get damaged. As per communities, please do not use chains on tires except to assist if stuck.
Road Capacity Overview – 31 Winter Road Connected Communities
Communities Under construction: 1
Communities Open to Light: 1
Communities Open to Partial: 8
Communities Open to Full: 21
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: none
Open to Light: none
Open to Partial Loads: Keewaywin, Deer Lake
Open to Full: North Spirit Lake, Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, Sandy Lake
Corridor Two – Central Corridor: North Caribou Lake, Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake, Cat Lake
Under Construction: none
Open to Light: none
Open to Partial Loads: Muskrat Dam, Sachigo Lake, Bearskin Lake
Full Loads: North Caribou Lake, Cat Lake
Corridor Three – Middle Corridor: Kingfisher Lake, Wunnumin Lake, Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekaka
Under Construction: none
Open to Light: none
Open to Partial Loads: none
Open to Full Loads: Wawakapewin, Kasabonika Lake, Wapekeka, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wunnumin Lake
Corridor Four – Eastern Corridor: Neskantaga, Nibinamik, Webequie, Eabametoong, Marten Falls
Under Construction: none
Open to Light: none
Open to Partial Loads: Eabametoong, Webequie
Open to Full Loads: Neskantaga, Nibinamik, Marten Falls
Corridor Five – Far North Corridors: Moose Cree, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat, Weenusk, Fort Severn
Under Construction: Weenusk
Open to Light: Fort Severn
Open to Partial Loads: none
Open to Full Loads: Moose Cree, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat
Other Winter Road Connected First Nations: Temagami, Animaki Wa Zhing #37, Northwest Angle #33
Under Construction: none
Open to Light: none
Open to Partial Loads Animakee Wa Zhing #37
Open to Full Loads: Northwest Angle #33, Temagami
Please note this is based on time sensitive information and conditions/status could change at any moment for various reasons. This is not an official road notice and should not be used to determine whether road conditions are safe for travel. We strongly encourage 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.
