Trans-Canada west of Maple Creek reopens after closure

It may feel like spring, but it was looking like winter on some highways in southwestern Saskatchewan on Tuesday morning.

According to the Highway Hotline at 9:30 a.m., the Trans-Canada Highway was closed from the junction of Highway 21 to the Alberta border because it was covered in ice and heavy snow.

It reopened just after noon, but travel wasn’t recommended on that stretch.

Highway 13 from Eastend west to the junction with Highway 21 remained closed as of 3:30 p.m.

Travel also wasn’t recommended on the Trans-Canada from Carmichael to Piapot and on highways 13, 18, 21 and 37 around Shaunavon and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

There also was a wind warning in place for the southwest corner of the province, with gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour potentially causing visibility issues on the highways.

As well, there were widespread power outages in that area caused by the wind.

One outage in Maple Creek has resulted in a mandatory water restriction because the water treatment plant didn’t have power.

“Due to the power grid/location of the plant and current fallen powerlines, SaskPower has estimated repairs may take a minimum of 24 hours with the potential for up to three days,” the town said in a Facebook post.

“Without power, the Water Treatment Plant is unable to treat water to maintain a supply. Thus, until further notice, the Town of Maple Creek is issuing a Mandatory Water Restriction.”