Freezing rain created dangerous road conditions across northern B.C. early Tuesday, morning Nov. 2.
Highway 16 east of Vanderhoof was closed earlier by RCMP in Prince George, who were advising drivers to avoid travel “unless absolutely necessary.”
A travel advisory by DriveBC warning motorists of the slick conditions was not lifted until noon.
“Please drive to conditions; it is now winter,” wrote maintenance contractor Yellowhead Road and Bridge on Facebook with the hashtag #ShiftintoWinter.
Morning classes were cancelled at the University of Northern BC and College of New Caledonia campuses in Prince George.
Due to the icy road conditions, school bus routes were also cancelled by School District 57.
Mid-morning in Vanderhoof, RCMP Cpl. Jeff Lance, a watch supervisor, said the roads were covered in ice earlier.
“It has since warmed up, and road conditions have improved greatly,” he said, noting there was a couple of significant motor vehicle incidents in Prince George.
“We didn’t have anything locally here until a couple of hours ago, and there was one accident just west of town that has since been dealt with.”
Lance reminds motorists that it’s the time of year when we get the cycle of freeze and thaw on the roads leading to icy and adverse conditions.
“Slow down and leave earlier,” he strongly recommends.
#BCHwy16 #BCHwy97 Travel advisory issued leading out of #PrinceGeorge due to freezing rain. Slow down and drive with care. #CityofPG #YXS pic.twitter.com/uH04aQRbZs
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 2, 2021
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