PICKLE LAKE, Ont. – A jackknifed tractor trailer unit has closed Highway 599 near Pickle Lake, with leaders of nearby communities concerned the truck is also leaking diesel fuel into the environment.
Highway 599, also known as Nord Road, was first closed on the evening of Dec. 24 between Pickle Lake and North Caribou Lake First Nation due to weather conditions.
That stretch of the highway remained closed as of Monday afternoon, according to Ontario 511, which last updated the closure around 8 a.m.
The Ontario Provincial Police Northwest Region said Monday morning via Twitter there was not yet any estimated reopening time.
Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa said he first started receiving messages on Christmas Day about a jackknifed truck closing the highway about 80 kilometres north of Pickle Lake. He believes the truck was carrying diesel to the Musselwhite Mine.
The leadership of Caribou Lake has concerns over a spill of diesel from the truck, Mamakwa said.
“I cannot confirm the amount of fuel – I’m hearing about 9,000 litres, which is quite a bit,” he said in an interview Monday. “That’s certainly a concern… I know they want it cleaned up as soon as possible.”
He said he believes the spill to be near a river system.
Mamakwa said he had passed the concerns on to the minister of environment, who notified a spills team right away. However, Mamakwa wasn’t yet aware of the plans for a response.
The spill isn’t the only reason Mamakwa is hoping for a swift resolution, saying the closure has kept North Caribou Lake community members who were returning to the First Nation stuck in Pickle Lake, and other who had hoped to travel stuck in the community.
“Nord Road is very important for North Caribou, but also the winter road season,” he said. “I know that’s a gateway to access services, but not only that, the Musselwhite Mine too – so it’s a really critical road for the north.”
The area of the spill is in the traditional territory of Mishkeegogamang First Nation, Mamakwa added. He said leaders from that community were recently allowed to inspect the site by OPP, but he had not yet spoken with them.
