Hwy. 401 off-ramp shut down due to Boxing Day deal-hunters now re-open

A Highway 401 off-ramp west of Toronto that became so clogged up with Boxing Day deal-hunters Thursday that police had to shut it down out of safety concerns has re-opened.

At around 1:30 p.m. today, Ontario Provicial police announced that they were shutting down the Highway 401 westbound off-ramp to Trafalgar Road in Halton Hills “for the safety of all.” Te off-ramp would be closed until further notice, they said in a post on X.

It re-opened shortly after 8 p.m.

OPP said earlier in the day that Boxing Day shoppers heading to Toronto Premium Outlets were facing a jam-up as they tried to get off the busy highway.

“Please consider using alternate routes as the #Hwy401 westbound exit to Trafalgar Rd is experiencing significant congestion due to Boxing Day traffic,” the service said in a tweet around 8:30 a.m.

Police had advised people looking to exit in the area to use Winston Churchill Boulevard or James Snow Parkway as alternatives.

Scores of deal hunters hit stores around the GTA on Thursday in search of Boxing Day bargains, coupled with the tax holiday, which is offering Canadians further discounts.

Best Buy Canada flung open its doors early this morning in anticipation of bargain shoppers looking for discounts.

“Boxing Day remains one of the biggest shopping days of the year for Best Buy Canada,” the company said in a statement.

While the electronics retailer rolled out deals online Dec. 24, shoppers still lined up outside store locations in the GTA hours before they opened at 8 a.m.

One shopper waiting in line told CP24 he’s eager to see what’s on offer.

“Every year there’s some rush stuff, so I would say (I came in) for the deals,” said the man, who gave his name as Renny.

While he knows he could shop from home, he said he still prefers to browse around to see the items in person as well.

“When you come here to the store you can physically see what the stuff is,” he said.

Jeffrey, another electronics shopper waiting in the line, told CP24 he was thinking of buying a drone last night and decided he didn’t want to wait to get his hands on it.

“Frankly I just wanted to go in store so I could get it as soon as possible,” he said.

Long lineups were also reported at stores around malls across the GTA.

While many retailers started rolling out deals around Black Friday, the tax holiday implemented by the federal government for certain items from Dec. 14 through Feb. 15 remains in effect, offering shoppers an extra incentive for items they didn’t pick up before Christmas.

It applies to items like video game consoles and controllers, as well as physical books, restaurant meals and some children’s toys.

Many retailers have said they’ve seen a boost in sales since the tax holiday started.