Ontario Military Convoys could lead to heavier traffic and temporary delays along Highway 401 and several other major routes this weekend as Canadian Army reservists travel from the Greater Toronto Area to CFB Petawawa for a training exercise.
The Department of National Defence says soldiers from the 32 Canadian Brigade Group will leave different GTA armouries beginning Friday night and continuing into Saturday.
Personnel will travel in military vehicles as well as chartered civilian vehicles while making their way north and east toward Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
The movement could be noticeable to drivers using major highways in and around the GTA, including Highway 401, an important route for motorists travelling through Durham Region.
Highway 401 Among Routes Used by Military Convoys
The Department of National Defence identified several roads and highways that military personnel may use during the movement.
Routes include:
- Gardiner Expressway
- Don Valley Parkway
- Highway 28
- Highway 41
- Highway 400
- Highway 401
- Highway 404
- Highway 410
- Highway 427
- Highway 512
- Highway 515
Convoys may also make planned stops for fuel during the journey.
Because the vehicles will be moving in groups, drivers could encounter slower-moving traffic or temporary congestion along portions of the route.
Durham residents travelling on Highway 401 this weekend should be prepared for the possibility of additional traffic.
Reservists Heading to CFB Petawawa
The soldiers are travelling to Petawawa to participate in Exercise Steadfast Warrior.
All formal training for the exercise will take place at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
The exercise is intended to give reservists experience working with soldiers from different military trades in a simulated operational environment.
According to defence officials, the training will test brigade readiness while helping participants develop leadership, teamwork and individual military skills.
Soldiers Will Carry Weapons but No Live Ammunition
Members of the public may notice that some soldiers travelling with the convoys are carrying military weapons.
However, officials emphasized that no live ammunition will be carried during public travel portions of the movement.
The Department of National Defence is asking motorists and members of the public to use caution around military vehicles.
Drivers should avoid cutting into convoys unnecessarily and allow additional space for larger military vehicles to manoeuvre safely.
Military Vehicles May Create Temporary Delays
The Ontario Military Convoys are expected to begin leaving GTA armouries Friday night and continue through Saturday.
Because units will depart from different locations, military traffic may appear at different times along the designated routes.
Officials have not indicated that highways will be formally closed for the movement.
Instead, motorists may notice groups of military vehicles, chartered buses and other support vehicles travelling together.
These vehicles may operate at different speeds than regular passenger traffic, particularly when merging, exiting highways or stopping for fuel.
Durham Drivers May Notice Highway 401 Activity
Highway 401 is especially relevant for Durham Region motorists.
The highway runs through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington and is one of the region’s busiest transportation corridors.
Military vehicles travelling east from Toronto could therefore pass through portions of Durham Region depending on their assigned routes.
Residents who are travelling long distances Friday evening or Saturday may want to allow extra time in case they encounter a convoy.
What Is Exercise Steadfast Warrior?
Exercise Steadfast Warrior is described as a major Canadian Army Reserve training activity.
The Department of National Defence says the exercise gives troops the opportunity to work in a rapidly changing simulated warfare scenario.
Participants will work alongside members of different military trades while practising operational readiness.
The exercise is also intended to help the 32 Canadian Brigade Group assess its preparedness and give individual reservists opportunities to develop leadership and team cohesion.
Public Asked to Give Convoys Space
The Canadian Armed Forces is asking drivers to approach military vehicles carefully and give them appropriate space.
Large military vehicles can take longer to accelerate, brake and manoeuvre than passenger vehicles.
Drivers should also expect convoys to remain together where practical.
Officials thanked motorists in advance for their patience and cooperation during the weekend movement.
The Ontario Military Convoys are part of a scheduled training operation and are not related to an emergency or domestic security incident.
Once personnel arrive at CFB Petawawa, the training activities will remain on the military base.
For Durham Region drivers, the main potential impact will be temporary additional traffic on Highway 401 as reservists and equipment move through southern Ontario.
