REGINA — Highways around Regina have been reopened after the overnight blizzard that left them closed since last night, but law enforcement is still advising caution.
According to the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline, Highway 1 west to Moose Jaw has been reopened as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, but travel is still not recommended due to serious winter weather conditions.
Roads remain slippery, with drifting snow and reduced visibility, said the update.
Highway 11 north to Lumsden and Highway 1 east to Balgonie have also reopened, and are now under a “travel not recommended” warning.
Multiple accidents were blocking the eastbound lane of Highway 1 to Moose Jaw for the majority of the day, causing traffic backups warned to be causing delays of up to three hours.
At approximately 10 a.m., White Butte RCMP responded to an accident near Pense where both lanes ended up blocked to motorists. Traffic came to a standstill, with a multi-kilometre backup of vehicles.
Other accidents on Highway 1 also caused traffic standstills, including near the overpass exit at Belle Plaine and near Balgonie, east of Regina, in the westbound lane.
Police are reminding travellers to slow down for emergency personnel and equipment at accident scenes.
Inside Regina city limits, similar safety warnings are also being issued to drivers.
Regina police said 22 collisions were reported between midnight and 10 a.m. in the city, although not all were related to weather. No injuries were reported, and only one incident has been labelled a hit-and-run.
Travellers on Ring Road are also advised to take caution when passing the junction to Highway 33, as a semi is stuck in the passing lane heading southbound, reducing traffic to one lane.
Law enforcement is reminding drivers to take care on the roads, only travelling where safe and if necessary.
Regina police are also asking drivers to remember to fully clean snow off their vehicles, even for short trips, including tail lights, mirrors, windows and license plates.
A blowing snow advisory is still in effect for Regina, with strong northwest winds creating poor visibility and expected to continue until this evening.
