The Winnipeg Police Service is asking motorists to avoid the East Perimeter Highway and Highway 1 "at all costs" on Friday afternoon.
A witness says a semi-trailer crashed through a guardrail on the East Perimeter overpass and landed ontop of a passing train below. A CN train derailed as a result.
In a video posted online Cst. Stephen Spencer of the WPS called it a "major train derailment."
The East Perimeter is closed in all directions at Highway 1.
STARS Air Ambulance was dispatched, but there is no word yet on injuries.
COLLISION ALERT * FERMOR & PERIMETER *
— Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) November 22, 2024
Please reroute yourself as there is a train derailment and semi collision.
ALL Southbound access is closed at Fermor
ONE Northbound lane is open Fermor. @WinnipegTMC
Avoid this area for emergency services to get access. pic.twitter.com/81coFNeUWj
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though slippery conditions caused by snow and mild temperatures have created hazards across northern and eastern Winnipeg.
Authorities continue to work on clearing the area, and drivers are advised to find alternate routes.
Spencer says it does not appear that any hazardous materials were spilled as a result of the collision and derailment.
STAR-7 (Winnipeg) has been dispatched for a scene call emergency in the Springfield, MB area
— STARS (@STARSambulance) November 22, 2024
Gridlock for westbound Fermor
Much of the traffic from the Perimeter Highway closure was forced onto westbound Fermor Avenue in the middle of Friday's rush hour.
Motorists reported being stuck in gridlocked traffic while many sought to get to southbound Lagimodiere Boulevard.
Then a collision on westbound Fermor compounded the problems.
At one point westbound traffic was stacked up from Lagimodiere past the Plessis Road overpass. The Fermor collision has since cleared and traffic has returned to normal volumes.
More to come