A freezing rain alert has been issued for the Moose Jaw area this morning, warning residents to take extra care on the roads and prompting the City of Moose Jaw to cancel all public transit routes until conditions improve.
Weather Canada indicated the freezing rain is expected to end mid-morning as the system moves eastwards towards Regina.
Residents in the affected area from Moose Jaw to Rockglen are warned that surfaces including roads, walkways and parking lots will be icy and slippery due to the rain, and to take extra caution when travelling today. The city has said transit services are expected to resume later today, once road conditions are deemed safer.
Moose Jaw Police Service reminded residents to slow down and increase following distance when driving today, especially on streets with an incline or are not level. Members are already attending to multiple collisions within the city, with some streets closed due to incidents.
Saskatchewan RCMP are also responding to an accident on Highway 1 that occurred just after 9 a.m., where a semi has jackknifed near Belle Plaine in the westbound lanes.
Travel lanes have been closed, and traffic is recommended to use an alternate route. RCMP are still on site, and travellers must be prepared to slow down or stop when approaching.
UPDATE:
Transit routes across the city will resume this morning, beginning with an 11:55 a.m. departure from the transfer point downtown.
RCMP have also reopened travel lanes on Highway 1 travelling westbound near Belle Plaine, but are now attending another accident just outside of Moose Jaw.
A second jackknifed semi is blocking eastbound lanes on Highway 1 approximately 3 kilometres outside of Moose Jaw, causing lane closures. RCMP are on site, and motorists are advised to slow down or be prepared to stop.
