The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is opening the winter road to Fort Chipewyan to light vehicles.

After unseasonably warm weather, the road to Fort Chipewyan will open to vehicles under 5000 kilograms at noon on Wednesday, December 20th.

The RMWB says drivers should expect rough spots and detours on the road and be prepared for slippery ice in the sandhills. High-clearance 4×4 vehicles are highly recommended to anyone making the drive.

This season, the Lencucha Bypass route will be used as a detour, instead of the new route announced last year. Motorists are advised to obey all detour signs and not to enter any closed-off routes.

With the opening of the road, free shipping to Fort Chipewyan via McMurray Aviation is wrapping up, but they’ll finish up any shipments already in the works.

The municipality is encouraging all motorists to visit the RMWB website for up-to-date information on road conditions and safety and to review winter road safety tips before travelling.