Calgarians who dream of a White Christmas may have to prepare for a nightmare on the city roads.
On Friday afternoon, the Calgary Police Service issued a winter driving advisory that read: “Icy roads have developed.”
“Please drive for conditions, slow down and leave extra space,” police wrote on Twitter.
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Pedestrian struck by vehicle in downtown Calgary
“If you plan to celebrate with your loved ones, #planahead and #drivesober.”
In the early afternoon, a pair of vehicles collided at Symons Valley Road and 144 Avenue NW and one went off the road and fell into the ditch. The eastbound lanes of 144 Avenue NW were blocked when emergency crews responded.
AHS EMS told Global News that there were minor injuries and that the driver was being transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The overpass connecting Crowchild Trail and Glenmore Trail SW was frozen and some vehicles stopped.
On Thursday night, that overpass was closed for a period of time.
Parts of Deerfoot Trail also reported slippery conditions for drivers on Friday.
A collision on Bow Trail east of Sarcee Trail SW affected lanes in both directions.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Calgary received 6.7 cm of snow on Thursday.
City crews began clearing the snow on Friday, focusing on the high volume priority 1 roads, day one of your seven-day snow and ice clearing plan.
“Our crews are focused on plowing the lanes and applying abrasives to the road to help improve traction,” said Highway Department spokesman Chris McGeachy. “At these low temperatures, the salt becomes ineffective.”
McGeachy said hills, bridge decks and intersections can see ice build-up.
Between noon and midnight Thursday, CPS responded to 120 collisions, with injuries in nine of those incidents.
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Reference-globalnews.ca