The Alberta government is currently reassessing the responses of the province and contractors following a significant snowstorm that left hundreds of people stranded in their vehicles south of Fort McMurray last week.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen mentioned that the review will focus on evaluating communication among various organizations and the public, as well as analyzing the response times of the province and emergency services. Dreeshen emphasized that the ongoing review aims to determine the adequacy of the response and any potential consequences for the highway maintenance contractor involved.
Describing the snowstorm as notably severe, Dreeshen highlighted the extensive snowdrifts and strong winds that affected the region, extending into northern Saskatchewan and resulting in road closures in that area too.
The ordeal began last Thursday evening when heavy snowfall obstructed Highway 63, causing traffic to come to a halt approximately 140 kilometers south of Fort McMurray between Wandering River and Mariana Lake. Numerous individuals were stuck in their vehicles overnight as the snowfall persisted into Friday.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) dispatched snowplows, trucks carrying supplies, and a bus to the area on Friday afternoon. By early Saturday morning, the RMWB confirmed that the highway had been fully reopened.
According to Staff Sgt. Sabrina Clayton, a spokesperson for Wood Buffalo RCMP, around 400 vehicles were stranded on the highway at one point. Despite no serious injuries reported, emergency responders encountered challenges reaching a passenger with a medical emergency.
A representative for Dreeshen clarified via email that assessing the highway maintenance contractor’s response is standard practice following major weather incidents. The delays in clearing the highway were attributed to the storm’s severity, poor visibility, ongoing snowfall, and the imperative to ensure the safety of crews and tow operators accessing the scene.
Tany Yao, the UCP MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, stressing the need for a swift mobilization of contractors and emergency personnel. He also called for enhanced warnings regarding the highway conditions to prevent such incidents in the future.
Yao criticized the lack of information provided to motorists stranded overnight, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and preparedness to avert similar scenarios.
Overall, the government’s review seeks to address the shortcomings in the response to the snowstorm and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.