Westbound Hwy. 401 reopened after tanker truck double fatal: reports

401 reopens

According to the MTO, the collision caused damage to the highway infrastructure, including Hwy. 401 itself as well as the Brock Road Bridge. Electrical wiring, light poles, drainage infrastructure, pavement and concrete barriers were also affected. - Ontario Provincial Police photo

Westbound lanes of Hwy. 401 have reopened through the Pickering area following Tuesday night’s collision that claimed two lives, according to social media reports.

ust before 6 a.m., highway maintenance crews were permitting traffic to flow once again westbound through the Brock Road area on Hwy. 401, the eastbound lanes remain closed.

Traffic through the area had been snarled for more than 24 hours after the driver of an eastbound transport truck hauling fuel lost control of the vehicle and slammed into the centre median, say Ontario Provincial Police.

That truck became engulfed in flames, igniting two passing vehicles in the westbound lanes -- a second transport truck and a passenger vehicle. Both truck drivers were killed in the accident, while two people in the passenger vehicles were able to escape safely, say OPP.

The accident happened around 10:30 p.m. on June 20.

In a statement released late Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Transportation stated that it was “working with our partners to explore all available options for an emergency detour to keep people and goods moving on this critical highway.”

The MTO added in its statement that both the OPP and coroner’s office investigation had wrapped up, allowing transportation officials to gain access to the site and assess the damaged bridge and other roadway infrastructure “to ensure the highway and bridge remains safe for the trucks and commuters that rely on it every day.”

Update: The OPP on scene investigation is complete. The MTO is assessing the condition of the overpass, road surface, and other infrastructure. Morning traffic may still be affected. Plan for alternate routes. #Hwy401/Brock Rd - Pickering. #TorontoOPP ^ks pic.twitter.com/JKFgtCz2FI

According to the transportation ministry, the collision caused damage to the highway infrastructure, including Hwy. 401 itself, as well as the Brock Road Bridge. Electrical wiring, light poles, drainage infrastructure, pavement and concrete barriers were also affected.

In an update just after 5 p.m. on June 21, the OPP showcased in a video “massive manhole covers blown out of the catch basins” by explosive gases that were released as a result of the accident.

That damage, said Sergeant Kerry Schmidt, an OPP spokesperson, demonstrated the “unbelievable power from those explosive fumes and fuels.”

Explosive power as a result of the fatal collision #Hwy401/Brock Rd Pickering. #TorontoOPP pic.twitter.com/eqrpgMRzCX

As well, Metrolinx has stated it will be running additional train service on Thursday during peak times to assist with increased traffic volumes brought on by the highway closure. There will be a westbound, all-stops train leaving Whitby at 7:22 a.m. and arriving at Union Station at 8:18 a.m. Also, an eastbound, all-stops train will depart from Union at 4:43 p.m., arriving in Whitby at 5:36 p.m.