Dozens of crashes as province prepares for 'extended' freezing rain
Environment Canada has issued warnings for freezing rain or rainfall — or a combination of the two — for nearly every corner of New Brunswick as another bout of messy weather moves into the region.
The RCMP had already responded to 50 calls about accidents and cars off the road when the new system began showing itself Wednesday afternoon.
Three days after a weekend storm, drivers continue to have trouble navigating the rutted roads and highways are still covered in ice.
Jean-Marc Picard, executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, said the road conditions are the worst he's seen.
"Obviously, there's lots of delays, there's been some crashes, near misses so … every company is really scrambling right now, especially in New Brunswick, and some deliveries either locally or in the Fredericton area and further," Picard said.
"You know you can double or triple your time to get there because the roads are still very dangerous."
The new system is making its way across the Maritimes just days after the province was hit with 50 cm of snow in places and close to 100 mm of rain over the weekend.
Now the province is expected to see a mixture of snow, freezing rain and rain into Thursday.
CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said the freezing rain warnings expanded southward as the day went on Wednesday, and northern New Brunswick can expect "extended freezing rain" and upwards of 30 mm of rain.
Temperatures are expected to rise to 5 C early Thursday.
Despite warmer temperatures, CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin warned the ground is still frozen, so drivers should take caution Thursday.
"Initially, the rain that's going to fall is actually going to stick to the ground as freezing rain as well," she said.
Simpkin said "heavy pockets of rain" combined with frozen storm drains from the weekend storm means localized flooding could be a problem in Saint John.
Fears of flooding
The City of Saint John is warning residents of localized flooding after snow- and ice-covered drains led to heavy flooding on the west side Sunday night.
The "travel not recommended" notices on routes 1 and 2 were lifted Wednesday, but road conditions could become worse as the storm progresses. The provincial government will continue to update its road conditions map.
Central and southern New Brunswick can expect periods of light snow Wednesday, changing to freezing rain and then rain by morning, as temperatures rise.
Those areas could see up to 65 mm of rain by Thursday night, according to Environment Canada.
Southeastern New Brunswick can expect upwards of 10 cm and 30 mm of rain.
More transit troubles
The messy weather means tricky travel Wednesday night and for morning and evening commutes Thursday.
Saint John Transit, which took buses off the road Sunday and Monday, is watching this next weather pattern closely.
There are still route changes in effect today due to poor driving conditions on some city roads.
"We've had our folks on road very early in the morning and very late at night watching and waiting to see the outcomes and making judgement calls erring on the side of safety," said Saint John Transit president and CEO Ian MacKinnon.
The bus system usually has 5,000 regular riders Monday to Friday, something MacKinnon said they don't take lightly when deciding to cancel service.
"There's a number of businesses that watch what Saint John Transit does, and they make their calls on ceasing to do business or closing down based on what transit is doing."
