​Highway 21, Kincardine, finally re-opened after another week-long closure

Highway 21 in the Kincardine area was finally re-opened, Sunday night (Feb. 23), after being closed for a week.

For the past two months, this section of Highway 21 has been closed for 16 days.

The most recent closure began early Monday, Feb. 17, as the OPP closed the highway from Southampton all the way to Grand Bend, due to blowing and drifting snow and heavy snow drifts across the roadway.

Gradually, sections were re-opened until finally, Sunday night, police reported that the entire highway was open.

This is the second time Highway 21 has been closed for a week. The last time was at the end of January.

The Miller Group, which is based in Markham, has the contract for clearing snow off Highway 21 in the Kincardine area.

Denise Riposati, director of corporate communications, responded to questions posed by the Kincardine Record, saying that the company understands the frustration for local residents when the road is closed for an extended period of time.

“Our crews worked diligently day and night, but with sustained heavy snowfalls, despite all available equipment in continuous operations, Highway 21 remained in an unsafe driving condition,” she said, via E-mail.

“Strong west and northwest winds picked up, and visibility was reduced to zero. With zero visibility, it became unsafe for the travelling public and the OPP determined the highway should be closed in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act.

“As the high winds and snow weakened, crews were left with the monumental task of opening the highway to return it to a safe condition. Once the OPP determined the highway was wide enough to provide safe passage, sections were opened.

“We understand the inconvenience and hardship the highway closure caused, but safety was, and remains, of paramount importance.”

Warmer weather and rain have arrived, but the snow and cold are set to return Wednesday and hang around for the rest of the week. Spring is just three weeks away!

-- Photo courtesy of the South Bruce OPP