Highway 2 closed

[KevanGuy]

From here (Calgary) to about Olds it looks like. Must be pretty bad. I can't remember the last time that road was actually closed. Anyone venture out there? I heard it is supposed to get worse here today. Don't wait till 5 to leave downtown!!

[Resolute 14]

One of my coworkers called me just before noon to let me know he hit the ditch in a company van just outside of Red Deer. I suspect he is about to be stranded out there.

http://www.ama.ab.ca/cgi-ebs/road_report/Route.jsp

[Resolute 14]

35 car pileup near Olds, according to my coworker.

[Cowperson]

I sent my assistant home to Okotoks half an hour ago . . . . then I heard Highway 2 south of Aldersyde was closed.

Time for me to go home too!!

Cowperson

[calf]

I just drove home from a vacation in Montana yesterday...sounds like I chose the right day to make the drive based on what I've heard about Tuesday, and how things are today. I'm very lucky!

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally posted by Cowperson@Jan 6 2005, 02:59 PM
I sent my assistant home to Okotoks half an hour ago . . . . then I heard Highway 2 south of Aldersyde was closed.

Time for me to go home too!!

Cowperson

So while Cow's assistant is working hard, Cow is casually posting on CP!!



JK

[Resolute 14]

Originally posted by Cowperson@Jan 6 2005, 01:59 PM
I sent my assistant home to Okotoks half an hour ago . . . . then I heard Highway 2 south of Aldersyde was closed.

Time for me to go home too!!

Cowperson

They mentioned that on the radio also. One person called into QR77 and commented on all of the idiots who think their day time running lights makes them perfectly visible, without realizing that there are no daytime tail lights...

Hwy 1 east of Chetermere is down to a crawl because of a huge accident too.

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Jan 6 2005, 01:33 PM
35 car pileup near Olds, according to my coworker.

I heard on CBC it is up to 64 now.

[Resolute 14]

One of our VP's just announced that anyone worried about the commute home may leave whenever they want.

I might just take her up on the offer, even though I live three blocks away and walk. B)

[albertGQ]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Jan 6 2005, 02:18 PM
One of our VP's just announced that anyone worried about the commute home may leave whenever they want.

I might just take her up on the offer, even though I live three blocks away and walk. B)

Hhahahaha. That is hilarious



MOD edit: For Language.

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by fotze+Jan 6 2005, 09:05 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (fotze @ Jan 6 2005, 09:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Cowperson@Jan 6 2005, 01:59 PM
I sent my assistant home to Okotoks half an hour ago . . . . then I heard Highway 2 south of Aldersyde was closed.

Time for me to go home too!!

Cowperson

So you use the assistant as a guinea pig. If they make then you should be fine. Nice. [/b][/quote]
Today, I'm in a completely different place than she is and going in a completely different direction although its possible we might pass each other like ships in the night.

So while Cow's assistant is working hard, Cow is casually posting on CP!!

That's why we hire people isn't it!!! So we can free up some time.

Made it home but came across a scene right out of Fargo, a lonely stretch of highway, snow breezing across the shiny road, whiteout otherwise, cops pulled over to the side hustling a laughing family (seriously) into the cop car from their ditched vehicle.

As I was driving by, I was forlornly wishing I'd had my camera to capture the image then about 100 yards down the road realized I DID have my camera . . . . but alas, too late, a memory that is only that, just a memory.

Cowperson

[KevanGuy]

Just heard on QR that cars that get ditched on Highway 2 (and maybe Highway 1, not sure) will NOT be rescued by a tow truck.

[peter12]

Originally posted by KevanGuy@Jan 6 2005, 01:40 PM
From here (Calgary) to about Olds it looks like. Must be pretty bad. I can't remember the last time that road was actually closed. Anyone venture out there? I heard it is supposed to get worse here today. Don't wait till 5 to leave downtown!!

Did you hear this on QR77? Can this be verified for sure?

[KevanGuy]

Yeah, but it looks like it is opened up again. The link from Snakeeye has the highway reports.

[Resolute 14]

According to QR, it is supposed to snow until mid afternoon tomorrow, and that Calgary is currently under a blizzard warning.

And yes, Tow bans are in place on Hwy 2 north and south of Calgary, as well as Hwy 1 east of Calgary.

Kevan - While the AMA page says open, the radio is saying closed between Olds and Carstairs. QR also mentioned a possible closure around Aldersyde as well.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by KevanGuy@Jan 6 2005, 03:58 PM
Just heard on QR that cars that get ditched on Highway 2 (and maybe Highway 1, not sure) will NOT be rescued by a tow truck.

So for future reference, what does one do if they're ditched on a snowy day like this? They may not tow people out today but I assume the RC's will come by and fetch you, if they see you that is.

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by I-Hate-Hulse+Jan 6 2005, 03:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (I-Hate-Hulse @ Jan 6 2005, 03:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-KevanGuy@Jan 6 2005, 03:58 PM
Just heard on QR that cars that get ditched on Highway 2 (and maybe Highway 1, not sure) will NOT be rescued by a tow truck.

So for future reference, what does one do if they're ditched on a snowy day like this? They may not tow people out today but I assume the RC's will come by and fetch you, if they see you that is. [/b][/quote]
Yeah, I guess eventually they'd get you out. I suppose the point is that no one was supposed to be driving and if you are you are on your own. I can't remember the last tow-ban.

[peter12]

CFCN.ca says Highway 2 north of Calgary is now closed by the RCMP.
http://www.cfcn.ca/

[Resolute 14]

Originally posted by KevanGuy+Jan 6 2005, 03:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (KevanGuy @ Jan 6 2005, 03:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

So for future reference, what does one do if they're ditched on a snowy day like this? They may not tow people out today but I assume the RC's will come by and fetch you, if they see you that is.

Yeah, I guess eventually they'd get you out. I suppose the point is that no one was supposed to be driving and if you are you are on your own. I can't remember the last tow-ban. [/b][/quote]
Tow bans occur all the time in weather like this. When I hit the ditch last year, on my way home from the aforementioned trip to High Level, I was pulled out just before the ban went into effect. They do it because the tow truck has to park on the side of the road in order to pull a car out of the ditch. The risk of accident is extremely high, as someone who loses control could hit that tow truck, injuring the driver or the tow truck operator. It's safer just to leave the car in the ditch.

You will get towed once the ban is lifted. Otherwise, you are probably dependant on the RCMP or a good samaritan to pick you up and take you to the nearest town.

Oh, and prepare to take a broom handle up the behind if you slide off in this kind of weather. It cost me $100 last year to get hauled out of the ditch. And this guy did about 10 cars in a half hour at the spot I went off.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Jan 6 2005, 04:20 PM
Oh, and prepare to take a broom handle up the behind if you slide off in this kind of weather. It cost me $100 last year to get hauled out of the ditch. And this guy did about 10 cars in a half hour at the spot I went off.

Mr. Plow - where are you?