Icy roads cause few accidents

PALMER — With wind and icy roads in the Valley this morning, drivers have done surprisingly well and emergency responders are crossing their fingers hoping things will stay as quiet as they’ve been.

“I would have to say that the Mat-Su School District’s decision to cancel school probably helped quite a bit,” said Dennis Brodigan, the borough’s director of Emergency Services.

The school district announced the closure of schools this morning, citing the driving conditions as a reason.

Brodigan said that with the closure came a drop in motorists.

“I’m glad that the Mat-Su School District made the decision that they did,” he said. “At least in the morning hours it probably saved us some accidents.”

As far as accidents go, he said he hadn’t heard of too many. Two tour busses near Mile 85 of the Parks Highway were in the ditch, he said. No one had been hurt.

A borough press release said a semi that jack-knifed at Mile 84 Parks Highway had been cleared as of noon.

Alaska State Troopers are warning of treacherous road conditions from Big Lake to at least Trapper Creek, according to the borough press release. The ice is one to two inches thick and even vehicles with studded tires and four-wheel drive are having trouble.

“The road is not closed but many vehicles continue to run off the road. Temporary delays occur during vehicle extrication,” according to the press release.