Icy roads are causing major issues across the mid-Island with multiple car crashes, vehicles into ditches and suspended service being reported. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SLIP 'N' SLIDE

Freeze-melt cycle making Nanaimo roads extra treacherous

Jan 4, 2022 | 10:28 AM

NANAIMO — Many local roads are more closely resembling skating rinks after another turn in the weather.

Travel on several main corridors was slow going on Tuesday, Jan. 4 after below zero temperatures froze the mid-Island solid, with overnight sleet or snow adding further complications.

David Thompson, manager of roads and traffic services, told NanaimoNewsNOW progress is slow going with the changing conditions.

“Overnight we were working on some of the residential areas then as temperatures dropped we had to move back to our priority routes and get those ready for the day once we saw the freezing was coming in.”

Thompson didn’t have overnight numbers for trucks on the road, however, he said anywhere between eight to 15 trucks had been out at any given time since Christmas Eve.

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While plows are still looking to clear a backlog of between 60 to 80 centimetres of snow which fell in late December, trucks are also out laying salt, brine and sand depending on a variety of factors.

Thompson said they lay salt or sand on area roads and will utilize brine if temperatures warm further.

“If we do see precipitation in the forecast in the form of rain, we don’t want to put material on the road that then just gets washed away so we’re definitely making those operational considerations as the event unfolds and as we get new weather systems moving in.”

Nanaimo RCMP and Nanaimo Fire Rescue continue to attend to an abnormal number of car crashes, a majority of which involve vehicles sliding off the road and into the ditch.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue has responded to 14 motor vehicle incidents from midnight Monday, Jan. 3 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, all at intersections.

Sections of black ice were also reported by several motorists Tuesday morning, with multiple vehicles into ditches or on the side of the road.

Transit is also being affected with buses unable to navigate some of their routes.

The Regional District of Nanaimo said Tuesday morning delays are to be expected on all routes, with service not occurring for the Cinnabar Valley.

Temperatures are forecast to sit between two and four degrees for the coming days, with a mixture of rain and snow. Overnight lows are also forecast to rise above freezing beginning Thursday, Jan. 6.

The melt and rain brings the prospect of flooding more into focus, with officials reminding residents to clear any drains, catch basins or curbs in front of their properties to ensure proper drainage.

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