Road Reports

With frigid temperatures returning this week, The Alberta Motor Association is reminding motorists that in extreme cold, calls for dead car batteries can spike upwards of six times. However, in order to avoid being stuck, there are things motorists can do to help ensure their cars start up.

While the heaviest snowfall may be behind Airdrie and the surrounding areas, the snowfall warning issued for Environment and Climate Change Canada is still in effect.

"Snow will continue today, with total amounts of 15 to 30 cm. Snow will taper off from north to south today," Environment and Climate Change Canada stated.

With snow continuing to fall Monday evening into Tuesday morning, road conditions may deteriorate rapidly as the evening progresses.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the periods of light snow may change this evening to much heavier flurries, with anywhere from 10 to 15 cm predicted to fall.

However, thus far, the QEII towards Calgary limits is reported to be wet but not slippery, but with fair visibility. 

Beginning on March 1, there will be some new rules on the road for Alberta motorists to remember. The changes are a part of the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, which was passed last year and aimed to strengthen safety measures to better protect all first responders and roadside workers on Alberta’s highways.

Changes include the requirement that when an emergency, tow truck, or road crew vehicle (including snowplows) is stopped with its flashing lights operating, motorists are required to:

The scene has been cleared.

Earlier on Monday evening, motorists were reporting that there was heavy traffic congestion along East Lake Boulevard due to a multi-vehicle collision near the intersection by Big Spring Way S.E.

There were also reports of a separate collision near Genesis Place. There is no word on injuries. 

Motorists were urged to find a different route as there were reports that portions of East Lake Boulevard have been blocked off.

There may be residual traffic congestion in the area. 

Grande Prairie RCMP are currently on scene of a fatal collision Involving a pickup truck and a semi-truck on Highway 43 at Highway 43X.

Preliminary investigation indicates a westbound pickup truck on Highway 43 rear ended a semi-truck at Highway 43X intersection. The adult male driver of the pickup truck and lone occupant was declared deceased on scene. The driver of the semi-truck suffered minor physical injuries. 

The RCMP Collision Reconstructionist is attending the scene.

Glenmore Trail (Highway 560) was closed earlier this morning due to multiple collisions east of Calgary, at Range Road 283 in both directions near Rainbow Road.

It has since reopened with the collisions being reported as clear, there are plows and road crews on the road as there are still a lot of significant icy and snow-covered patches on the highway. 

There was no word on any injuries as a result of the multiple collisions at this time. 

Despite dozens upon dozens of comments from Airdrie residents voicing their frustration at what they perceived as a lack of road maintenance after the large dump of snow the city and the surrounding areas saw last Friday, the Roads Team Lead for the city, Mike Avramenko, underlined that the city's road crews have been and continue to work 24/7.

UPDATE:

The scene is now clear.

Please drive with caution.

ORIGINAL:

There are reports of a motor vehicle collision heading Northbound on the QEII near Highway 566 approaching Cross Iron Drive.   

The collision is blocking the left-hand lane, hence motorists should stay to the right and drive with caution. There is no word on injuries or if emergency crews are on the scene. 

Road conditions continue to be slippery on the major roadways, with motorists reporting icy sections and packed ice and snow making for a difficult drive. 

Late on Friday evening, the Airdrie RCMP said that Northbound lanes on Highway 2 at Township Road 285 near Crossfield had re-opened after a multi-vehicle collision involving a jack-knifed semi. 

"Police advise highway driving conditions are very poor due to icy road conditions," RCMP said.

Calgary police have also warned motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads, as they were responding to multiple collisions across Calgary on Friday.