Icy road conditions triggered widespread chaos across the Edmonton region on Wednesday morning . The sudden weather shift resulted in over 100 collisions and a fatal accident on Highway 28 in Sturgeon County.
119 collisions reported in a five-hour window
The Edmonton region faced a massive surge in traffic accidents on Wednesday morning as icy surfaces made travel hazardous. According to a representative from the Collision Reporting Center, 119 separate crashes were reported within the Edmonton area between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. This high volme of incidents caused significant delays for morning commuters and overwhelmed local roadways.
Drivers involved in accidents are advised to report incidents to the nearest Collision Reporting Center. There are currently two centers located in Edmonton, with one additional center each in Leduc and Spruce Grove, where wait times are posted online for public convenience.
A fatal multi-vehicle crash on Highway 28
The most tragic event of the morning occurred in Sturgeon County, where a multi-vehicle collision resulted in a fatality . As reported by the source, the accident forced a complete closure of Highway 28 between Highway 37 and Township Road 522. Emergency crews were deployed to the scene, with officials estimating that the highway would remain closed for at least five hours to allow for investigation and cleanup.
This incident was part of a broader pattern of road closures affecting the region. In west Edmonton, police reported that 231 Street was closed entirely between Secord Road and Rosenthal Boulevard due to poor conditions. Additionally, the RCMP reported that Highway 37 was closed between Highway 777 and Highway 779 near Onoway and Calahoo for approximately ninety minutes during the midday period.
The freeze-thaw cycle and 15cm of predicted snow
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a special weather alert for Edmonton and surrounidng communities, warning of up to 15 centimeters of potential snowfall. Beyond the accumulation, the City of Edmonton is battling the effects of "freeze-thaw cycles" that create dangerous driving conditions . Mobility infrastructure operations manager Valerie Dacyk explained that these cycles are most pronounced during the early morning and late afternoon, often leaving roadways in poor condition.
To manage these deteriorating conditions, the City of Edmonton has moved to a 24-hour work schedule for its snow and ice removal crews for the remainder of the seaosn. The RCMP has also issued safety guidance, urging drivers to use headlights to identify "glossy spots" on the pavement and to increase following distances, particularly on bridges, ramps, and overpasses where slippery conditions are often more severe.
Unidentified details regarding the Highway 28 fatlity
While the reporting provides a clear picture of the morning's chaos, several specific details remain unverified. The report confirms a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Highway 28, but it does not name the individuals involved or provide a specific cause for the collision beyond the general mention of icy roads. Furthermore, while the RCMP has advised drivers to be extra cautious on bridges and ramps, it remains unclear how long the specific closures on Highway 37 near Onoway and Calahoo will persist as weather conditions evolve.
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