RCMP warn of icy road conditions northeast of Edmonton

Light snow was falling throughout much of Alberta’s Capital Region Thursday and icy conditions were being reported through much of central Alberta.

Shortly after 2 p.m., RCMP warned drivers of “extremely icy road conditions” in and around Fort Saskatchewan. They said a number of vehicles had crashed or ended up in ditches and that crews were actively working to clear and sand roadways in the area.

According to Alberta 511’s road conditions map, as of about 4:30 p.m., most major highways were partially covered in snow and ice north of Airdire and some were fully covered.

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The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP reminded motorists to drive according to the roadway and weather conditions and to provide extra distance between vehicles to allow for increased stopping distances in icy conditions.

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In Edmonton, police shut down eastbound lanes of the Yellowhead Trail near the Beverly Bridge for about an hour and a half Thursday afternoon after a semi-trailer jackknifed. Police did not say if weather was believed to be a factor in the incident, but according to Alberta 511’s road condition map, highways around Edmonton were partially covered in ice and snow at the time, as were the shoulders of the road.

Late Thursday afternoon, Edmonton police said it was “cautioning commuters to slow down and consider the slippery road conditions.”

READ MORE: Winter driving: tips for tackling snowy, icy roads

Watch below: Winter driving can be stressful. On Jan. 15, 2016, Quinn Campbell caught up with a driving instructor who had a few helpful tips for driving in southern Alberta.

2:02 Tips for tackling winter roads

According to police, 235 collisions occurred on roads across Edmonton between 12 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday. Fourteen resulted in injuries and 31 were considered hit and runs.

For the latest on road conditions in Alberta, click here.

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