Highway 401 Reopens East of Ottawa After Crashes Near Brockville
Ottawa drivers and anyone travelling the busy Highway 401 corridor between the capital and Kingston got an unwelcome surprise after crashes near Brockville forced the closure of eastbound lanes. The disruption caused delays along one of Eastern Ontario's most-travelled stretches of highway before the road was eventually reopened.
What Happened
The crashes occurred on the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 401 near Brockville, a city located roughly 130 kilometres east of Ottawa. Emergency crews responded to the scene, and the eastbound lanes were shut down while first responders and cleanup crews managed the situation. Details on the number of vehicles involved and any injuries were not immediately available at the time of reporting.
The 401 between Ottawa and the Brockville-Kingston area is a critical artery for commuters, transport trucks, and travellers making the trip between the nation's capital and Toronto or points further east. Any closure on this stretch can ripple outward quickly, causing backups and forcing drivers onto alternate routes.
What Ottawa Drivers Should Know
While the highway has since reopened, delays can linger well after a closure ends as traffic works through the backlog. If you're heading east from Ottawa toward Brockville, Kingston, or beyond, it's worth checking 511 Ontario or Google Maps for real-time conditions before you leave.
For those who needed an alternate route during the closure, Highway 2, which runs parallel to the 401 through towns like Prescott and Brockville, is the most common detour. It's slower but manageable, and worth keeping in mind for future incidents on this corridor.
A Reminder About Winter and Early Spring Driving
March in Eastern Ontario is notoriously unpredictable. The combination of freeze-thaw cycles, lingering ice patches, and variable visibility can make highway driving treacherous even when conditions look clear. Transport Canada and provincial road safety advocates consistently remind drivers to reduce speeds and increase following distances during shoulder-season conditions.
Major crashes on the 401 between Ottawa and the Ontario-Quebec border are not uncommon during this time of year, and incidents like this one serve as a timely reminder to stay alert, especially on multi-lane highways where traffic moves fast and reaction time is critical.
If you're planning a road trip east of Ottawa this season, whether to Brockville's historic downtown, the Thousand Islands region, or continuing along to Kingston, give yourself extra time and keep an eye on highway alerts.
Source: CTV News. This article is based on reporting by CTV News Ottawa.
