Poor conditions causing ‘long’ backups on Highway 43 near Whitecourt

Snow and freezing rain prompted a warning from northern Alberta Mounties about “extremely poor” driving conditions on Friday.

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Around 7:30 a.m., RCMP asked the public to avoid Highway 43 north of Whitecourt, where Alberta 511 was reporting a semi jackknifed on the highway near Virginia Hills Road.

“Police are currently responding to reports of multiple vehicles, including semi tractor trailers in the ditches, and extremely long traffic backups,” RCMP said.

Wood Buffalo region

Wood Buffalo RCMP, too, issued a warning after being called to “multiple” crashes, which they attributed to freezing rain and icy roads.

Specifically, the northbound lanes of Highway 63, near Mariana Lakes, “are nearly impassable,” Mounties said in a 12 p.m. update.

“This has caused multiple vehicles, including semi-tractor trucks to stop in the driving lanes, or leave the road altogether. Vehicles are currently at a standstill until road crews are able to respond to the area.”

RCMP did not say if any injuries were reported.