Highway Closures Continue to Impact Capacity and Service

— UPDATE – Mar 18, 7:32 am —

LCV operations have resumed across all Prairie corridors following improved weather and highway conditions, including the reopening of Highway 17, allowing teams to begin clearing backlogs and restoring network flow. Current delays remain, with 19 loads between Calgary and Winnipeg and 15 loads between Saskatoon and Edmonton, while additional backlog of approximately 25 to 30 loads persists out of the GTA and GMA due to tight westbound capacity following earlier disruptions.

Operations are actively prioritizing recovery, rebalancing equipment, and providing updated ETAs on previously delayed shipments. Looking ahead, a developing weather system between Edmonton and Saskatoon on Friday is expected to bring 5 to 10 cm of wet snow and near-freezing temperatures, creating slushy and potentially icy highway conditions that may lead to moderate service challenges, including reduced visibility, traction concerns, and possible right-to-decide situations.

We continue to work closely with Account Management to offer alternative solutions, including rail and market capacity, to help mitigate delays and maintain service continuity. Customers are encouraged to reach out to their account manager with any questions regarding specific shipments.

— UPDATE – Mar 17, 4:00 pm —

Hwy 17 and 11 remain closed at Nipigon to Pass Lake due to a collision.

This means that both highways have been closed for roughly to 48 hours now.

There is no re-route available.

Westbound capacity in the GTA/GMA will continue to remain very tight because of capacity not cycling in due to the closures.   We will continue to see service challenges out of both regions.

If you have any questions about how these developments may impact your shipments, please contact your account manager.

— UPDATE – Mar 17, 12:02 pm —

We are currently facing adverse weather conditions across the Prairie LCV network today. Several drivers have exercised their Right-to-Decide (RTD) due to safety concerns:

• Calgary: RTD invoked due to strong winds
• Winnipeg: RTD invoked due to blowing snow

In addition, our Edmonton → Saskatoon lanes continue to face challenges following the closure of Highway 16 last night, which extended into this morning. Most of our overnight drivers were impacted by the closure and will not be available for tonight’s operations, further limiting network capacity.

The team is actively monitoring highway and weather conditions. Updates will be provided throughout the day as the situation evolves.

– ORIGINAL POST-

Highway closures across Northern Ontario continue to disrupt freight movement after more than 36 hours. Portions of Highway 17 reopened overnight, but the route remains closed between Nipigon and Pass Lake due to a collision, while Highway 11 remains closed on several stretches including North Bay to Hearst and Palmquist to Longlac. Conditions on recently reopened sections near Batchawana Bay remain poor with vehicles still parked along the highway.

As a result, westbound capacity across the Greater Toronto and Greater Montreal regions remains very tight as equipment has been unable to cycle back through the network, creating ongoing service challenges. In Western Canada, progress continues on clearing earlier weather-related delays, with the Calgary–Winnipeg corridor backlog reduced to 25 loads.

Separately, Highway 16 in Alberta remains closed west of Innisfree due to multiple collisions, which is expected to impact service on Edmonton–Saskatoon lanes until the highway reopens.

Intermodal operations remain largely stable, though heater and reefer equipment remain in short supply in Eastern markets and small pockets of rail delays (24–36 hours) are being reported in Vancouver and Brampton. Customers are encouraged to schedule delivery appointments within 24 hours of arrival to help optimize equipment availability.

If you have any questions about how these developments may impact your shipments, please contact your account manager.