In an exclusive interview, our newsroom has learned the north tube of the Thorold Tunnel will soon become one way only.
Sean Dunsmore, the Manager of Engineering for the city of Thorold tells us this morning the MTO, erring on the side of safety, has decided to end two way traffic through the tunnel.
Dunsmore says the south tunnel, which is currently under construction, will remain closed for the winter.
After Monday's storm, which forced the MTO to close the north tube for close to a day because of flooding, Dunsmore says the provincial agency realized for safety reasons they will have to make it one way only.
As a result, only westbound or Thorold/St. Catharines bound traffic will be allowed to travel through the tunnel.
Niagara Falls bound motorists will have to detour.
Dunsmore says the detour will be Glendale, Regional Road 20 or the Welland Tunnel.
He says he has talked to regional officials regarding construction on RR 20 that has closed a section of the roadway just after the Allanburg lift bridge.
Dunsmore says the region is ramping up repairs on a small bridge near Holland Road, and hope to reopen the road by the end of next week,.
He notes once that is reopen, the MTO will then move to make the Thorold Tunnel one way only.
The MTO has estimated 24,300 vehicles use the Thorold Tunnel each day.