Huntsville police warn people to stay off icy roads: Officers unable to respond to every crash
Huntsville police are warning drivers to refrain from driving if possible as road conditions continue to worsen Wednesday afternoon.
"Many roads in the City of Huntsville are impassable," police said in a social media post.
"The surge in motor vehicle crashes has overwhelmed emergency resources, leading to a situation where they are unable to respond to every call. Despite ample sunlight today, temperatures remain below freezing, causing most major and secondary roads to be iced over."
Only first responders, essential personnel or individuals with real emergencies should take to the road, police said.
Anyone involved in a minor wreck with no injuries, and with an operable vehicle, should move their vehicles to a safe area and exchange information with all parties involved, authorities said.
As of 4 p.m., police have closed Slaughter Road from Old Madison Pike to Highway 72 West; Winchester Road at Moores Mill Road; Westbound University Drive between Enterprise Way and Waddell Drive; Winchester Road near Hollow Road, and Winchester Road from Meridian Street to Memorial Parkway, due to deteriorating road conditions.
Chase Road at Melody Road and Monte Sano Boulevard, from Governors Drive to Bankhead Parkway, is also closed. Bankhead Parkway remains closed.
As of 2 p.m.
Wednesday, the following roads are closed:
- Slaughter Road from Old Madison Pike to Highway 72 West
- Winchester Road at Moores Mill Road
- Westbound University Drive between Enterprise Way and Waddell Drive
- Chase Road at Melody Road
- Monte Sano Boulevard from Governors Drive to Bankhead Parkway
- Airport Road/Carl T. Jones Drive from Whitesburg Drive to Tannahill Drive
- Bankhead Parkway
- Cecil Ashburn Drive
- Golf Road
- Green Mountain Road
- Westbound lanes of Weatherly Road from Canstatt Drive to Todd Mill Road
- Executive Drive west of Ascent Trail
The Alabama Department of Transportation is treating interstates and high-volume four-lane roads with fine aggregate, ice fighter and rock salt. Secondary routes are treated as emergency calls come in.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, icy road conditions have also been reported on county roads in the northern part of Madison County, as well as Alabama 53, U.S.
231 and U.S.
72.