(Picture) Four transports demolished on Hwy 17 N.

As of 8 p.m., Ontario Provincial Police advise SooToday.com that Highway 17 remains closed north of Batchawana Bay because of gale-force winds and blowing and drifting snow.

A snowsquall warning remains in effect tonight for Searchmont, Montreal River Harbour, Batchawana Bay, Agawa and Lake Superior Park, with westerly snowsqualls over Lake Superior expected to dump as much as 25 centimetres of snow over the next 12 hours.

The most intense squalls are reported to be coming onshore near Lake Superior Provincial Park, and total snow accumulations in that area could reach 50 centimetres.

Late tomorrow, the winds will shift more southwesterly, moving the bad weather into the Wawa area.

The following is a news release we received earlier today from the OPP:

******************** 12:11 p.m. - multi-vehicle crash and weather keep Highway 17 North closed

Mamaince Harbour, Ont. - A multi-vehicle crash [shown] involving six transports combined with poor weather conditions continue to plague motorist trying to travel north of Sault Ste. Marie.

Large-format version of crash photo

Yesterday at about 12 p.m Sault Ste Marie OPP received a call of six transports involved in a collision on Highway 17 north of Mamaince Harbour and south of Montreal River.

The preliminary investigation is indicating that high winds in the area were causing zero visibility and the lead driver was slowing to try to see where the roadway was.

A chain reaction crash occurred with the other five transports.

As a result of the crash, debris and wreckage totally blocked the highway.

In the middle of the crash was a transport carrying a full load of gasoline and diesel fuel

Four of the transports and the trailers were demolished and had to be towed from the scene.

The continual assault of high winds, blowing snow and sub-zero temperatures hampered the removal process.

At about 9:30 p.m. last night the last wreck was removed from the roadway.

There were reports of minor injuries in the crash and no one was taken to hospital.

OPP re-opened the highway for about half an hour after the clean-up but because of more collisions and zero visibility the highway was closed and remains closed at this hour.

At this time gale force winds blowing off of Lake Superior in the Agawa Bay and Sand River area of Highway 17 (north of Montreal River) is keeping Highway 17 closed.

That area is presently experiencing blowing and drifting snow accompanied by zero visibility.

Snowplows and sand trucks are having difficulty operating safely in this area.

Officers have Highway 17 closed for northbound traffic at the Village of Batchawana because that is the last place of refuge for motorists traveling north on Highway 17.

Please call the MTO Winter Road Conditions telephone numbers for the latest in highway update information at 1-800-268-4686 or 945-5924.

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