A major stretch of Highway 11 has reopened after an extensive police investigation shut down traffic in both directions for nearly seven hours on Wednesday, causing significant delays for Canada Day travelers across Northern Ontario.
The closure, which extended from Matheson to Kenogami Lake, began shortly after 5:30 a.m. when Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to what they described as a “high-priority incident” near the Porquis Junction area. Details remain limited, but OPP Constable Michelle Simard confirmed that specialized tactical units were deployed to the scene.
“This was not a typical highway closure,” Simard told CO24 News. “The situation required immediate containment to ensure public safety while our emergency response teams worked to resolve the matter.”
Motorists were diverted through a complex network of secondary roads, adding upwards of 90 minutes to travel times on one of the busiest holiday travel days of the year. Local businesses along the detour routes reported unexpected surges in customer traffic.
“We had three times our normal morning rush,” said Elena Kowalski, owner of the Northern Lights Café in Matheson. “Most people were frustrated about the delays, but understood the police were handling something serious.”
The timing of the closure proved particularly challenging as thousands of Ontarians were traveling to cottages and campgrounds for Canada Day celebrations. Ministry of Transportation officials estimate approximately 4,200 vehicles were affected by the disruption.
By early afternoon, authorities had secured the area and reopened the highway. While officers remained at the scene conducting investigative work along the shoulder, traffic resumed in both directions by 12:45 p.m.
OPP spokesperson Jason Folz would not confirm speculation about the nature of the incident but stated that “there is no ongoing threat to public safety” in a press release issued shortly after the reopening.
This section of Highway 11, which serves as a vital transportation corridor connecting southern and northern Ontario, has seen an increase in police activity over the past month, according to Canada News statistics. The highway serves as a critical route for both commercial traffic and recreational travelers heading to popular destinations in Ontario’s north.
Regional transportation officials are now working to address the backlog of traffic that built up during the closure, particularly at key intersections where detour routes reconnect with major highways.
As investigations continue into what prompted this significant disruption, travelers are advised to check the CO24 News traffic updates before departing, as intermittent lane closures may still occur as police complete their work in the area.
With the summer travel season now in full swing and record numbers of Canadians opting for road trips this year, how prepared are our emergency response systems for managing major highway incidents while minimizing disruption during peak travel periods?
