First snow of the season in Ann Arbor causes havoc; I-94 closed due to crashes
Washtenaw County police are responding to six traffic crashes on area freeways as the first snow of the season takes its toll on the morning commute.
The entrance ramp to I-94 westbound at Jackson Road on Ann Arbor's west side was closed shortly after 10 a.m. because the bridge there was reported to be a sheet of ice, officials said. And two lanes are closed on westbound M-14 at Main Street, dispatchers said at 10:30 a.m.
Police were responding to crashes at 10:15 a.m. at westbound M-14 near Main Street, eastbound I-94 near Jackson Road, southbound US-23 to eastbound M-14, westbound I-94 and US-23, and southbound US-23 north of I-94. Police officials attributed the accidents to the weather.
Icy conditions can wreak havoc on area freeways.
File photo
Jim Harmon, director of operations for the Washtenaw County Road Commission, said all 46 of the department’s salt trucks are out on their normal routes this morning. He said crashes aren't unusual during the first snow of the year as drivers are reminded what winter driving is like.
“Folks have a hard time reducing their speed according to the conditions,” he said. “We get minor crashes and rear end crashes. Motorists, after the first snow, quickly adjust to the realities of winter driving.”
An alert from the National Weather Service’s Detroit office said rain from yesterday froze, creating some slippery spots for drivers.
Dave Kook, a meteorologist for the weather service, said radar shows the intensity of the snow already decreasing west of Ann Arbor, which means relief should be coming soon.
“It shouldn’t last much more than another hour at these rates,” he said. “Having said that, the rest of the day, you’re only looking at another one- to-two tenths of an inch. After this burst it should be just flurries.”
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com.
Comments
Roadman
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 5:12 p.m.
Be especially careful in construction zones where road crews are working.
pegret
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 2:06 p.m.
Interesting that the icy freeways weren't being salted, but I observed 2 separate trucks dumping salt on perfectly clear, dry, streets at State & William yesterday around 1pm. There weren't even light flurries at the time, so it seemed like a huge waste.
Sarah
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 11:09 p.m.
Most of the time it is people driving too fast, but not always. I was going slow on the entrance ramp onto I94 and when I went to brake to slow down further, my car just spun out of control on the black ice. This was right around 10:20 a.m. Thankfully I barely missed hitting the concrete wall and ended up sliding onto the shoulder. Another lady was not as lucky, but she was going way fast. She did a complete 360 to the left of me and the front bumper of her car hit the wall on the left side of the road. Pretty scary stuff.
Martha
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 8:15 p.m.
I agree that the really major reason for "weather-related" accidents is driver-based. However, I wonder whether a contributing factor is the lack of salt on the road, by which I mean the first snow of the season hits pavement which hasn't been salted for at least 5 months, while the last snow of the season is landing on "well-seasoned" roads.
Lola
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 7:38 p.m.
The same roads were slowed to a crawl last Wednesday during the evening rush. It took me 2 hours to get home from Novi. For the love of god, people, learn how to drive or stay at home. BTW, there were no accidents near Novi last Wednesday evening or this morning. Only in Ann Arbor. What does that tell you?
Sallyxyz
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 3:49 p.m.
Where were the SALT trucks this morning on this frozen overpass/bridge/entrance ramp? OK< so you close it, but why not SALT it so it's passable??? I live on an emergency route, between 2 hospitals, and I can tell you after the last several winters, SALT is not used nearly enough in A2, and there isn't nearly enough plowing. Many times in past winters this so-called emergency route has over 8-12 inches of snow on it even during the morning rush hour with cars slipping and sliding everywhere. Where are the snow plows and salt trucks? I fear that this winter will be no different. Crummy plowing and totally insufficient salting of the roads. This storm today was predicted, so why didn't they pre-salt the areas where freezing is known to take place??? I lived in Minneapolis for many years, and I can tell you right now that they know how to plow and salt the roads up there so winter travel is far less dangerous. Here in the A2 area, the snow and ice are far worse than they need to be because of the lack of salting and plowing, contributing to accidents and injuries. Yes, some people drive too fast in crummy winter conditions, but the salting and plowing are thoroughly inadequate for this climate.
jcj
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 3:07 p.m.
@ERMG I give up! Your not playing fair. I agree for the second time today. To blame the weather now offers no explanation for the number of times all summer that the x-ways were closed down in the morning because of an "accident". It seems like every other day all summer the x-ways were closed down.
robyn
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
People can and will still get ticketed for accidents - for driving too fast for road conditions. Apparently people think that the posted speed IS the speed they must travel no matter what the conditions on the road. Common sense should indicate that it is safer to drive at a lower speed if the roads are icy or have a layer of snow on them. BTW - 4 wheel drive doesn't mean a thing if there is no traction to begin with. And you may think you can stop but just because your tires have quit rotating, your vehicle can continue moving forward if it's sliding along on the ice. I guess I could understand the total ignorance about driving in snowy or icy conditions if this were a state that rarely deals with it - but we are subjected to these conditions each year - on and off for approximately 4 to 5 months. A third or more of the year. It's only logical that people should know that they need to slow down a bit already - if not just to drive safely themselves - but to avoid the people who haven't figured it out yet.
TrueBlue90
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 2 p.m.
It always amazes me how people in the Ann Arbor area are supposed to be sooooo intellectual, yet they're obviously too stupid to remember how to drive in the winter from year to year! Or maybe they're just aggressive bullies who think nobody else on the road matters but themselves?
bunnyabbot
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
I was stuck in traffic for the M14 accident for a really long time. Even before I drove by the accident I knew it would be right at the main street exit because that is where it always always happens. That whole area just sucks.
amberherself
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 1:14 p.m.
People are reckless. This morning I was stopped in the line up of cars in the left lane of SB 23, N of the 94, since the right lane was closed due to a major accident involving a tractor trailer that had come through the guardrails... Flying down the gravel shoulder on the left side - A FOOT FROM MY CAR - was a GM Astro van. He was driving at least 60 mph, the tail of his car swerving because he was on the hard shoulder, all just to get in front everyone waiting to get by the accident. Let's all be considerate of one another, especially during the winter weather.
a2guy1974
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 12:34 p.m.
slow down, but also check your tires (both psi and tread). good tires will help keep you on the road.
lumberg48108
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
Was it snow or ice that led to poor conditions? There was barely any snow in Ypsi - just flakes! Ice on roads in not the same as driving in snow! Am i being too picky? " STAFF "First snow of the season in Ann Arbor causes havoc" on roads... "An alert from the National Weather Services Detroit office said rain from yesterday froze, creating some slippery spots for drivers. was it snow or ice????
jeanette
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
how about slow down and back off year round? have you ever noticed how people are past your car before you can even make a turn? how about when you are afraid to stop because the person behind you is maybe only 2 feet behind your bumper? you pray there are no deer about to run out in front of you. remember the 2 second rule for spacing between cars? black ice and frozen bridges happen in michigan more often than overheated pavement, let's learn this people. drive slow and defensively. save a life and a car.
win
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
it's flurries people!! quick acting like we just got 12 inches dumped on us. slow down! think about other people on the road with you!
5c0++ H4d13y
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
Time to put the snow tires on.
breadman
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
This is not the first snow of the year! What happened to: January, February and March. Summer just swelled the brain and its hard to adjust to a new season in terms with the weather. BACH OFF THE GAS.... sloooooooow down... Leave early. Be on time w/o a rush.
Barb
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
Typo in the last sentence: "burs,t". That said, the overpass at Jackson and I94 was as slick as anything this morning. I was surprised I didn't see any accidents when I was driving in to work.
Mike H.
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 11:16 a.m.
I just passed by this mess going eastbound from Briarwood Mall. There were banged up cars everywhere. I'm definitely gonna try to stay off the roads as much as possible until people are reminded of winter driving.
treetowncartel
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
Bridges freeze over faster than roadways? say it ain't so, Joe.
walker101
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
Unbelievable how people drive here, way too fast for the conditions.
jcj
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 10:47 a.m.
"Motorists, after the first snow, quickly adjust to the realities of winter driving. The ones that are not brain dead will adjust!
SemperFi
Wed, Dec 1, 2010 : 10:34 a.m.
It's the 1st snow of the year and people haven't learned to slow down, yet. It's an annual event akin to pumpkin carving. Slow down folks!