Travel advisories issued for central and northern Alberta

Updated 9:32 pm, February 13

Travel advisories have been issued for much of Alberta north of Calgary.

Various advisories we've received today follow.  Be advised this is only a partial list.  For the most current and specific travel information visit http://511.alberta.ca/

Consort/Czar/Oyen
Alberta transportation has advised highway closures for Hwy 41, Hwy 12, Hwy 13 and Hwy 9. These highways encompass areas of Czar, Oyen, and Consort. The highways have been closed due to zero visibility and extremely high gusting winds which have caused travel to become dangerous.

Fort Saskatchewan
RCMP are advising against any travel on Hwy 831 and Hwy 15 in the Fort Saskatchewan area due to poor visibility and icy road conditions.
Lac La Biche County
Lac La Biche RCMP advise that the following highways are in poor
condition:

Highway 881
Highway 36
Highway 55 East
Highway 55 West
Highway 858
Highway 663

Currently all of the highways above have drifting/blowing snow, covered
driving lanes, sections of black ice and reduced visibility. RCMP are urging people using to highway to proceed with extreme caution
and to listen to local media and the Alberta 511 system for updated
messages.
Morinville 
Morinville RCMP are warning motorists that icy road conditions and poor visibility prevail on highway 2 south of Legal.  RCMP officers are currently dealing with two semi trucks that are jack knifed and blocking traffic near Township Road 572 on Highway 2.  Traffic is currently being re-routed between secondary highway 651 and Township Road 572. So far, no injuries have been reported.

Ponoka
Advising of some unpredictable winds in the Ponoka area that have caused a few vehicles to go off the road. We are advising to reduce speeds in this area as trailers are being blown off the road. Empty large transport trucks are also urged to use caution in this area. The blowing snow is causing slippery portions on the highway.  Caution is urged.

Redwater
Please be advised that, due to extremely poor winter driving conditions, the Redwater RCMP are not recommending travel on area Highways. Specifically Highway 28 and Highway 63.

Saint Albert
St. Albert RCMP are not recommending travel on Ray Gibbon Drive, McKenny Avenue, and Giroux Road due to blowing snow, reduced visibility, and snow covered, icy roads.  Already RCMP are dealing with collisions.  Highways north to Morinville and Legal are also in very poor winter driving conditions and travel is not recommended.

Smoky Lake
Officers of the Smoky Lake Detachment area, situated approximately 100 km east of Edmonton is receiving a snowfalls and high winds.  This situation is producing whiteout and slippery highway conditions making driving extremely hazardous. Affected highways in the Smoky Lake County area are:  Hwy 831, Hwy 28, Hwy 857, Hwy 36 and Hwy 55.  It is strongly advised to postpone any vehicle travel at this time until the snow and wind subside.


Strathcona County
Strathcona County RCMP are advising motorists to avoid travel if necessary on area highways. In particular, high winds and blowing snow have made for extreme driving conditions on Highway 16 from Elk Island Park to Edmonton. Roads are ice covered and visibility is severely reduced in some areas.


Vegreville
Vegreville RCMP would like to warn people about poor driving conditions in and around the Vegreville region.  Due to high winds and drifting snow, it is a virtual whiteout in some areas. The motoring public are strongly urged to not travel if they do not have to, but wait until the weather conditions improve. We have had numerous calls of vehicles driving off of the roads along Highway 16 and on Secondary Highways such as 855.  At one point the local tow company said they could not even respond to calls due to the dangerous driving conditions and poor visibility.

Vermilion area
Due to extremely poor winter driving conditions including slippery surface conditions and zero visibility, travel on Highway 16 between the City of Lloydminster and Elk Island National Park is not recommended.  At present the highway is open, however, the RCMP have responded to numerous multi-vehicle collisions along the highway.  The RCMP and Alberta Transportation will continue to monitor conditions and update the public through the media as necessary.

Wetaskiwin
Due to reduced visibility and icy road conditions, RCMP are advising against travel on Hwy 2a south of Wetaskiwin.

Related link:
New 511 service replaces AMA Road Reports