Sudden closure of Abitibi River ferry strands dozens in northern Ont.

Emergency repairs to the Abitibi River ferry north of Cochrane, Ont., have left dozens of people with only a heavily pitted, single-lane logging road as a means to leave the area.

An inspection by a contractor hired by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation led to the immediate closure of the ferry Friday evening.

"Florence Lake Road is available as an alternate route while the ferry is out of service, while we work to fix the issue," the MTO said in an email Monday afternoon.

But Don Dykeman said he is effectively stranded in the nearby community of Gardiner because the road the province has listed as an alternate route is not safe.

Dykeman said it’s an old logging road that's a single-lane and full of deep holes and soft spots.

"A grader they sent down there got stuck" when it was trying to smooth the road, he told CTV News over the phone.

A grader the Ministry of Transportation sent to smooth out the alternate road got stuck, residents said Monday. (Photo courtesy of Don Dykeman)

Florence Lake Road is available as an alternate route, the MTO told CTV News on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Don Dykeman)The area is so remote, his cellphone cut off twice during the interview.

Harry Dingley told CTV News he is also stranded in the area. He tried taking the suggested road but said the front tire of his truck was badly damaged.

"I can’t take it across," Dingley said, adding the road has soft, sandy areas along with deep "divots."

"Florence Road at the time was impassible with four areas washed out by heavy rains and beaver activity," he added in an open letter he sent to the MTO on Monday.

He’s been told that only emergency vehicles are currently allowed to cross using the ferry.

Dingley is particularly angry that the ferry is out of commission for three to four months every winter at which time "any and all repairs could be done without disrupting the operation of the ferry."

"I am truly stranded in Gardiner until my truck is repaired," he said, because his truck lost its front wheel and the "bolts (were) sheered off."

Despite repeated attempts, Dingley said he has not heard from the MTO to get an update or explanation about what’s going on.

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"Everyone I have spoken with that is affected by this cannot fathom why better planning did not occur," he wrote.

"This situation is a liability waiting to happen and has put many people under extreme, unnecessary duress."

The province did not respond to CTV News' inquiries about how long the ferry would be out of operation.