Crashes plague roads and freeways after light snowfall in Ann Arbor area
At least two crashes were slowing traffic on freeways in the Ann Arbor area Wednesday morning after about an inch of snow fell overnight.
Crashes were reported at northbound U.S. 23 near Geddes Road on the east side of Ann Arbor and eastbound Interstate 94 near Rawsonville Road in Ypsilanti Township.
The crashes were not believed to be blocking the freeway, a dispatcher with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said at 7:10 a.m. Further information was not immediately available.
The National Weather Service reported about an inch of snow had fallen in the Ann Arbor area overnight.
The Washtenaw County Road Commission called in its entire day shift at 4:30 a.m. after snow fell overnight, said Jim Harmon, director of operations. Drivers had been out salting roads throughout the county since 5 a.m., he said. Reports indicated about a half inch of snow had fallen on the west side of the county, Harmon said.
Media reports indicated several crashes had plagued Washtenaw County roads and freeways earlier in the morning. Harmon said there had been reports of a few spinouts around the county, but he had heard of no serious crashes.
A crash at Michigan Avenue and Fosdick Road in Pittsfield Township had closed the intersection before 6 a.m., according to an advisory from the Pittsfield Department of Public safety. The road was reopened about 6:30 a.m.
Roads were improving by 7:30 a.m., Harmon said, and traffic speeds beginning to return to normal. By 8 a.m., a dispatcher reported the freeways were clear of crashes.
The National Weather Service said the snow showers had moved out of the Ann Arbor area by shortly after 6 a.m. For the rest of the day, the forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 3 p.m.
It will be cloudy, with a high near 32, and breezy, with a west northwest wind 14 to 21 mph, gusting to 32 mph. We'll have clearing skied tonight, with a low around 18.
Thursday will be mostly sunny with a high of about 39 degrees.
For updated conditions and forecasts any time, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.
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Cindy Heflin is associate news director at AnnArbor.com. Contact her at cindyheflin@annarbor.com or 734-6232572 or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
Judi Jones
Thu, Mar 14, 2013 : 5:30 p.m.
There was black ice at the round abouts on Geddes at US23. Not much you can do about that except keep your speed down (of course many drivers allow about 12 inches between their bumper and mine which is always stressful.)
JRW
Thu, Mar 14, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
Another day, a little snow, no salt and a series of accidents. Another day in Ann Arbor. And the road commission wants more money for their incompetent road maintenance and salting? Get real.
Goober
Thu, Mar 14, 2013 : 7:18 a.m.
My, my, my! How soon we forget our defensive driving habits and show that we cannot drive in snow. Life in a northern town. Go figure!
grimmk
Thu, Mar 14, 2013 : 7:18 a.m.
It was very slick. And thank you not so much school bus Y27 for almost causing me to run into you. Three car lengths is NOT enough space for you to turn! I was about a few inches from hitting you! Just WAIT next time. Unless you wanted to hit that garbage truck as well.
Brent Lofgren
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 4:37 p.m.
I haven't found any coverage on an accident that I saw, apparently very soon after it happened, about 7 pm yesterday, at Liberty and 7th. Here's what it looked like, as far as I could see: A car was eastbound on Liberty and broadsided a minivan going (I think) northbound on 7th, and the minivan rolled over. The intersection was almost completely blocked, and cars were just starting to turn around to avoid that intersection as I approached (northbound on 7th). Anyone know anything else?
Lizzy Alfs
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 1:57 p.m.
It's surprisingly slick out there, especially on side streets. Be careful!
JRW
Thu, Mar 14, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
Of course the roads are slick. They don't salt!
Tom Joad
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
They don't call March 'in like a lion out like a lamb for nuthin'
Sarah
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
"The National Weather Service said the snow showers had moved out of the Ann Arbor area by shortly after 6 a.m" Well, then, what was that white stuff falling from the sky that I got covered in while waiting for the bus? I will saw, I saw a salt truck go by twice while I was waiting and drivers appeared to be driving better than they did for the last big storm!
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 12:25 p.m.
Put down the cell phone, the coffee, the food, put down the newspaper &, leave a little earlier for work. You are driving a machine that weighs a ton or more in snow on ice...thank you
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 10:17 p.m.
My bad
tdw
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 12:40 p.m.
Homeland....No No No ! it's never the drivers fault.Let me explain.If the roads are snowy or icy it's the Road Commission's fault.If it's sunny and the roads are dry it's the roads configuration that's at fault.Get with the program Bub
Arboriginal
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 12:09 p.m.
Drive on drivers!
tdw
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 11:45 a.m.
And the blaming of the Road Commission instead of the drivers start in 5,4,3,2...
MgoBlueMomma
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 5:49 p.m.
Just curious...The officers call because they have found a location that needs salt. So the Road Commission responds. Problem fixed. That does not mean that the Road Commissin is to blame. They can not be everywhere all at once.
justcurious
Wed, Mar 13, 2013 : 11:53 a.m.
Yes, the officers were calling dispatch asking for the road commision to please spread some salt this morning....all over the area.