Multiple collisions played role in Wednesday traffic delays
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on June 30, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com Incidents on Whoop-Up Drive and Crowsnest Trail Wednesday evening left many motorists stranded on the east side of the Oldman River unable to reach West Lethbridge for hours.One incident occurred just after 4 p.m. when a flatbed trailer carrying equipment jack-knifed and flipped on its side in front of startled drivers, some of whom managed to get around the wreckage before Whoop-Up Drive was shut down.
Multiple vehicles were involved in a collision on westbound Highway 3 at the Oldman River bridge which compounded problems for drivers.
Lethbridge police on Thursday said multiple tickets were issued to the driver of the truck and trailer that prompted closure of westbound traffic on Whoop-Up, causing significant damage to the bridge deck.
Police say the closure increased the volume of traffic on the Highway 3/Crowsnest Trail corridor and a chain reaction involving 10 vehicles then occurred in the westbound lanes there.
When police arrived on the scene at Whoop-Up Drive, they saw significant damage to the truck, trailer its load and asphalt as well as spillage of hazardous fluids along with “countless” roofing nails. screws and sharp roofing parts that were being hauled.
Police say the Alberta Sheriffs also responded to the scene and after further investigation the truck and trailer were found to have multiple equipment violations. The 29-year-old Lethbridge man driving the truck was charged under the Traffic Safety Act with operating a trailer without a properly functioning emergency brake system, emergency break-away cable not properly connected to the towing unit, towing a trailer without proper attachments and exceeding the certificate weight. The tickets carry a total monetary penalty of just over $1,000, say police.
At 5:22 p.m. police responded to the Oldman River bridge after another collision. An investigation showed the lead vehicle stopped for traffic ahead but numerous vehicles following didn’t and 10 collided. This matter remains under investigation.
In a third incident about 5:30 p.m., an eastbound semi-truck on Highway 3 rear-ended another semi causing significant damage to what police call “the offending vehicle.” A 39-year-old Cardston man was charged with following too closely under the Highway Traffic Act.
The delays prompted many to take a long circuitous route to West Lethbridge, driving to Coaldale then heading north and west to Picture Butte.
Around 7 p.m. Wednesday, police announced that the westbound lanes of Crowsnest Trail had been reopened which did little to ease congestion on such roads as Scenic Drive where northbound traffic moved at a snail’s pace.
One lane on Whoop-Up Drive was eventually opened allowing traffic to take that route.
While emergency gates have been built into Whoop-Up Drive to flow traffic into opposite lanes when needed, the City sent a release late Wednesday saying that is for times when no lanes are available for a period of four or more hours.
“Opening the gates would also limit traffic flow in the eastbound lanes from West Lethbridge into the downtown tomorrow morning.Motorists are encouraged to use Crowsnest Trail as an alternative and drive with caution, given the increased volume expected,” wrote the City.
The Whoop-Up accident caused “significant damage” to asphalt which will require repairs before all westbound lanes are open, said the City. Crews could be seen early Thursday morning working on the repairs which were expected to be done by mid-day. Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 4
-3
