Highway 21, Kincardine, closed for third day in a row

Highway 21, from Grand Bend to Southampton, was closed for the third day in a row, Wednesday (Feb. 19), as crews worked to clear heavy snow drifts, due to the blowing and drifting snow that hit Monday (Feb. 17).

School buses were cancelled for Kincardine, Ripley, Lucknow and Walkerton, and the schools were closed.

The day began with all Bruce County roads closed, as well as the rural roads in the Municipality of Kincardine. Gradually, throughout the day, those roads were cleared and re-opened.

Bruce County Road 23, from Bruce County Road 15 to Bruce County Road 20, remains closed.

In Kincardine, as of 8:45 p.m., rural roads were open but motorists were advised to use them with caution, particularly the sideroads since many remain well-drifted, with some down to single lanes.

Roads to be avoided include:
 

• Saugeen Street, from Broadway to Kingsway
• Goderich Street, from Bruce Avenue to the pumping station
• Bruce Saugeen Townline, from Sideroad 33-24 to Greenock-Bruce Road North
• Sideroad 20, from Concession 12 to Bruce Saugeen Townline
• Sideroad 5S, between the Southline and the Huron-Kincardine West Boundary, will remain closed until further notice

The Davidson Centre in Kincardine was partially re-opened at Noon for those who could arrive safely. There was access to the health club, track, arena for ice-renters, and the gym.

The pool remained closed and swimming lessons were cancelled. The municipal administration centre was closed, as were the Underwood Community Centre, Tiverton Sports Centre, and Kincardine Waste Management Centre.

Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling cancelled both garbage and recycling pick-ups for this area. All recycling and garbage will be collected on the next scheduled pick-up day.

As for tomorrow (Feb. 20), the Davidson Centre is slated to open at 6 a.m. for those who can arrive safely. The pool will remain closed until noon. All other scheduled programs and drop-in activities at the Davidson Centre will be running.

The Tiverton Sports Centre will remain closed in the morning, with an update provided to renters by early afternoon, depending on the weather conditions and road closures.

Meanwhile, in Huron County, the OPP reported that, as of 5 p.m., Feb. 19, the following roads remained closed:
 

• Highway 21, from Grand Bend to Amberley
• London Road (Highway 4), from Exeter to Clinton
• London Road (Huron County Road 4), from Wingham to Teeswater
• Lucknow Line (Huron County Road 1), from Blyth Road to Lucknow

Snow clearing crews were clearing the closed roadways overnight and may need to block traffic lanes to remove snow. The OPP is again reminding the motoring public to obey the closures and take alternate routes. It is not only illegal, but also unsafe, to drive on closed roadways.

The Kincardine Bulldogs game against the Goderich Flyers, slated for tonight (Feb. 19), has been postponed for the third time, due to inclement weather.

As of 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, Highway 21, from Grand Bend to Port Elgin, remains closed.

For up-to-date road/weather information, visit: www.brucecounty.on.ca/road-conditions.php or call Bruce County Roads at 1-866–266-7569, option “2”. For Ontario highways – visit 511on.ca.”



Photos of snow blowers clearing Highway 21, north of Tiverton, courtesy of The Miller Group