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Chemical spill blamed for yesterday's Highway 17 closure

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A news release issued today by Superior East Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reports that Highway 17 near Rabbit Blanket Lake was closed Thursday due to a chemical spill.

OPP responded to the scene approximately 30 km south of Wawa shortly after 4:30 p.m.

The release states that a commercial vehicle was forced to take evasive action in order to avoid a collision when an onboard tote ruptured and leaked what was later identified as pesticide onto the road.

The Ministry of the Environment was advised, a hazardous materials team attended to clean up the scene, and the highway was opened to traffic at approximately 9 p.m.