🚨 Traffic Update: Highway 2 near Bowden is now OPEN after yesterday's semi-truck crash! 🚛💥 No injuries reported. Stay safe, everyone! 🙏 #Olds #Alberta
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Highway 2 Lanes Near Bowden Fully Reopen After Semi Crash
Incident Overview
On Thursday afternoon, a single-vehicle accident involving a semi-truck led to significant disruptions on Highway 2 near Bowden. The crash, which occurred around dinner time, resulted in the temporary closure of the highway's southbound lanes. Thankfully, the RCMP confirmed that preliminary reports show no injuries from the incident.
Recovery and Reopening
By early Friday morning, the situation had improved, with the province’s travel service reporting that the southbound lanes of Highway 2 had been fully reopened. This update followed the completion of vehicle recovery efforts.
According to RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, the Olds RCMP responded to a call at 4:55 p.m. on August 1st about a semi-truck that had overturned about a kilometer north of Bowden. The crash had caused a blockage in the southbound lanes.
“Initial reports indicated that the driver was out of the vehicle,” said Savinkoff. “There was an ambulance on the scene, but it appears they were there before the crash occurred and may not have been needed for emergency response.”
Traffic Disruptions
The overturned semi led to significant traffic issues, with many southbound travelers being forced to use back roads to bypass the area. Witnesses noted the severity of the roadblock, suggesting that the cleanup and recovery efforts necessitated a full road closure at times.
The province’s travel service initially reported that both northbound and southbound lanes were closed to facilitate vehicle recovery. Later updates indicated that by 9 p.m. on Thursday, the northbound lanes had reopened, and one southbound lane was in use. However, by 4:52 a.m. Friday, the travel advisory service noted that both southbound lanes were blocked as crews continued their work to right and recover the semi, advising drivers to expect delays.
What Caused the Delay?
The lengthy closure was primarily due to the challenges of moving the overturned semi-truck from the highway. Cpl. Savinkoff speculated that the road had to be fully blocked off temporarily to allow for the safe removal of the truck and ensure a clear path for reopening.
Final Thoughts
The incident underscores the importance of road safety and the impact such accidents can have on traffic flow. With the highway now open and the situation resolved, commuters can return to their normal routes, though some delays may still occur as cleanup efforts wrap up.
For future reference, it's always a good idea to check travel advisories and road reports before hitting the road, especially when traveling through busy areas or on major highways.