Council members were on the radio this morning to remind community members that the winter road is closed and asked travelers not to attempt driving the winter road. 

According to Sandy Lake Community Development Services Inc., the winter road has been closed since March 4 when they seized winter road maintenance. 

The unseasonably warm weather over the last few weeks has melted the snow causing a gradual increase of water build-up on the ice sections and rough muskeg area on the terrain sections of the winter road network.  One person traveling through yesterday reported high levels of water on the ice up to 3 feet deep.

As of yesterday, people were still attempting to drive the winter road.  One driver said it took 18 hours to drive from Pickle Lake to Sandy, a drive that usually takes seven hours.

The winter road season has come to an end sooner than later this year because of the high temperatures that has already melted all of the snow in the community.

For more information on the winter road, please contact Sandy Lake Community Development Services Inc. at 774-1564 or a council member at the band office 774-3421.