Update:

Road is now cleared.

Police officials and Mattawa Fire are still determining the cause of the gas leak.

Original:

A stretch of Highway 17 between Moores Lane and Donald Street in Mattawa is closed in both directions due to a gas leak.

Ontario Provincial Police in the area say the highway was shut down in the late morning on Wednesday and is not expected to re-open until the evening.

Local traffic is being diverted to Papineau Road and heavy traffic via Highways 63 and 533.

Police say homes in the area are being evacuated, although it's unclear how many. 

Police officials and Mattawa Fire crews are still on scene determining the cause and clean-up.

Gas leak on Hwy 17 causes road closure