Hwy. 6 partially reopens between Espanola, Manitoulin Island

Traffic was halted for several hours Thursday on Highway 6 between Espanola and Manitoulin Island because of a road washout.

 Highway 6 has partially reopened just past Espanola heading toward Manitoulin Island.

Ontario Provincial Police said Thursday afternoon that one lane of the highway has reopened, after it closed from Birch Lane to Hopkins Road in Espanola due to a washout on the roadway.

“Traffic is being let through one lane at a time periodically while road crews continue to repair the road,” OPP Const. Berkley Parisien said in an email.

“We are just hoping to advise motorists to be patient as the traffic has built up, and also to proceed with caution through the construction area as there are road repair crews on scene.”

The Highway is expected to fully reopen around 8 p.m. Thursday, the OPP said.

The OPP said Fox Lake Road remains closed as a result of a culvert washout. And Old Webbwood Road, near civic number 241, in the Sables Spanish Rivers Township, has fully reopened.

Later Thursday, police said Bass Lake Road near civic number 2174 is fully closed due to a washout.

Panache Lake Road near Brazil Lake is fully closed due to a washout.

“Road crews will be attending this location to assess the damage,” police said.

Minto Road is fully closed between Davis Road and Old Nairn Road in Nairn Centre due to a washout, and will be closed for another two weeks.

“These road closures will remain in effect until further notice,” police said.

“At this time, no detour routes are available, and the affected areas will stay closed until repairs are completed and the roads are confirmed to be safe for travel.”

The Manitoulin OPP is urging the public to avoid the locations and to respect all road closure signs.

“For your safety, do not attempt to bypass barricades or detour around signage, as the road conditions are unstable and pose a serious risk to drivers,” police said.

“The OPP will provide updates as more information becomes available. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as crews work diligently to restore safe travel routes.”

Found out on social media

Murray McGregor, band manager for Whitefish River First Nation, said they were disappointed that they found out about the closure on social media instead of being contacted directly.

“It’s a little disappointing because it does affect a lot of our community members and a lot of our administration,” McGregor said.

“If we don’t get the information in a timely manner, then we can’t really let our members know through our own social media.”

He said many people in the First Nation have had to cancel doctors’ appointments in Espanola and Sudbury, some of which take months to reschedule. Staff have also been affected.

“We do have a number of staff that do live out of town, who live in neighbouring communities, Espanola, even as far away as Sudbury, Massey,” McGregor said.

“And with a sudden closure like this, and if they’re not prepared to work from home, then they’re kind of stuck with a day off type thing.”

He said they have plans in place in case of medical or other emergencies.

“If it does become an emergency, which it’s not quite because we still can get to Little Current for a hospital, and there is (an) air ambulance that can come out,” McGregor said.

“So we’re not quite in an emergency state yet, but (it’s) more of a … disruption than anything.”

Real-time road information is available at Ontario 511.