SUDBURY -- A stretch of Highway 17 was shut down for much of Thursday due to a chemical spill.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), officers responded to what turned out to be spilled pesticide on the road near Rabbit Blanket Lake at approximately 4:40 in the afternoon.  

The OPP said it happened after a commercial motor vehicle had to swerve to avoid a collision, which led to the spill.

The Ministry of the Environment was advised. The highway was eventually reopened at 9 p.m.