Police in Edmonton and other parts of central Alberta warned drivers that road conditions remain treacherous Friday morning after a significant spring snow event resulted in dozens of crashes the night before.
RCMP in Edmonton issued a news release just after 9 a.m. on Friday saying that “officers in many parts of the province were kept busy yesterday” because of the snow event. They responded to 147 vehicle crashes in total.
“Fortunately, there were no fatalities,” the RCMP said. “Although we are at the tail end of winter, snowstorms are still common and we ask that drivers continue to take steps to ensure the safety of themselves and others.”
Shortly after 8 a.m. on Friday, the Edmonton Police Service said it had reopened a major east-west thoroughfare in Alberta’s capital that had been closed overnight.
“Whitemud Drive is closed in all directions between the Quesnell Bridge and Gateway Boulevard,” the EPS said in a news release issued just after 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, noting that officers were responding to “multiple collisions” on the freeway.
Long lines of vehicles could be seen standing still on a significant stretch of Whitemud Drive on Thursday night.
On Thursday night, the EPS also shut down 23 Avenue in both directions between Rabbit Hill Road and 119 Street. Shortly after 8 a.m., police said that road had also been reopened.
“Motorists are advised to please continue to exercise safe driving as these winter weather conditions continue,” the EPS said.
South of Edmonton, RCMP issued a “tow ban” in the Leduc area on Thursday night.
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“Alberta RCMP are advising the public to stay off the roads, unless travel is absolutely necessary, as weather and road conditions pose a significant hazard throughout the province,” police said.
Edmonton and other parts of central Alberta remained under a snowfall warning as of Friday morning.
West of Edmonton, the RCMP in Parkland County said Friday morning that officers were at the scene of “several motor vehicle collisions on Highway 16 near Stony Plain.”
“Currently, eastbound traffic on Highway 16 is being redirected and westbound traffic is down to one lane,” Parkland RCMP said. “Police are reporting extremely poor road conditions in central Alberta and travel is not recommended.”
AMA offers tips for driving in snowy conditions
Lance Hughes, a fleet supervisor at the Alberta Motor Association in Edmonton, said across the province, his organization is seeing about double its normal amount of calls service from drivers who are stuck or are experiencing other issues.
“We have all hands on deck,” he said, noting the AMA prepared for messy conditions once the weather alerts were issued for the Edmonton region. “This morning’s commute is when things picked up quite a bit.
“Certainly the snow accumulation overnight contributed to — I think — most of the volume that we’re seeing today. Lots of snow yesterday, but a lot of accumulation overnight that affected the morning commute and resulted in the higher-than-expected volume that we’re seeing today.”
Hughes reiterated that Edmontonians who need to be on the roads in such conditions should follow traditional guidance for winter driving.
“We talk a lot about winter tires, having proper following distance behind vehicles, and just giving yourself time to get to where you’re going,” he said, noting drivers should slow down when they see emergency lights flashing on vehicles being driven by people working on the roads.
“Just be patient.”
Chris Pouliot, a service manager at Integra Tire and Auto Centre, said at least one of his co-workers was not able to come to work because of the weather in the Edmonton area.
He said many customers are now postponing weekend appointments to get their winter tires changed. In some cases he said drivers were not even able to get past their driveway because of the snow.
“Quite a few cancellations for appointments,” Pouliot said, noting most appointments have been moved to mid-April with the hope wintry weather will be finished by then. “People that were excited to get their summer tires on are now a bit frustrated that spring is a few weeks behind again.
“Our weather feels like it’s been better than typical until yesterday.”
For a complete list of areas in Alberta under a weather alert, visit the Environment and Climate Change Canada website.
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–With files from Jasmine King, Global News
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