Stretch of Trans-Canada highway among at least 12 roads closed in Manitoba due to poor driving conditions

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Poor winter driving conditions are forcing the closure of at least a dozen highways in Manitoba on Sunday, some for the second time this week.

Manitoba 511 said blowing snow led to the closure of Highway 1 on Sunday morning from Winnipeg to Sidney, Man., a community located about 60 kilometres east of Brandon.

Limited visibility amid a mix of wintry weather has also shuttered the following road as of 12 p.m. on Sunday:

• Highway 2, from Highway 100 to Highway 34.
• Highway 3, from Sperling to Crystal City.
• Highway 13, from Highway 1 to Carman.
• Highway 14, from Rosenfeld to Highway 75.
• Highway 23, from Lowe Farm to Morris.
• Highway 26, from St. Francis Xavier to Highway 1, near Portage la Prairie.
• Highway 30, from Highway 14 to the U.S. border.
• Highway 31, from Highway 3 to the U.S. border.
• Highway 32, from Highway 14 to the U.S. border.
• Highway 52, from Highway 59 to Mitchell.
• Highway 59, from the South Perimeter to St. Malo.
• Highway 75, from Morris to Winnipeg city limits.
• Highway 201, from Highway 32 to Highway 59.

Hockey games cancelled

Hockey Winnipeg, the non-profit organization that manages youth hockey in the city, announced Sunday afternoon that all games requiring highway travel on Sunday were postponed due to weather and dangerous driving conditions.

Manitoba RCMP is reminding drivers that travelling on a closed highway is illegal and dangerous both for them and for emergency crews who may have to help them if a crash happens.

The RCMP encourage drivers to reconsider going out on the roads until conditions improve and if they have to be out, they should be very cautious because of deteriorating weather.

Dozens of trucks line up on the Trans-Canada Highway near Headingley after highways were closed in Manitoba due to snow (Rudi Pawlychyn/CBC)

Blowing snow led to the closure of several highways in the province earlier this week, including the Trans-Canada, where RCMP said there were multiple crashes. 

During Friday’s storm, Portage la Prairie issued 25 tickets to motorists for driving on a closed highway, with a minimum fine of $298 and two demerit points on a driver’s licence, police said.

Dozens of travellers were left stranded, some having to spend the night in community centres close to Highway 1 into the weekend.