FARGO — The North Dakota Department of Transportation opened Interstate 29 from Fargo to the Canadian border Saturday morning, Oct. 12, as blizzard conditions eased slightly across eastern North Dakota. However, no travel is advised.
As of 10:30 a.m. closures include:
- I-94 from Bismarck to Fargo
- U.S. Highway 2 closed from Rugby to Grand Forks International Airport.
- The north-central portion of the state, in and around Devils Lake, secondary state highways are impassable and blocked. Motorists should not travel.
Additionally, NDDOT advises no travel in eastern parts of the state including Bismarck, Minot, Jamestown, Valley City, Fargo, Casselton, Devils Lake, Grand Forks and surrounding areas.
A travel alert is still in effect for southeast North Dakota including Wahpeton and surrounding areas. A travel alert means conditions are such that motorists can still travel in the area, but they should be aware that travel conditions can change quickly and create hazardous driving conditions.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol warned motorists to not use GPS to find alternate routes to get around closed roads in areas under a no-travel advisory, saying on Twitter that troopers have come across motorists who became stranded after trying to do so.
When roads are closed it is not wise to use GPS to re-route your travels into areas with a NO TRAVEL ADVISORY. #NDHP troopers have come across stranded motorists who become stuck because they attempted to make it around the closed road. #DONTRISKIT @NDResponse
— NDHP (@NDHighwayPatrol) October 11, 2019
The winter storm impacting the region has led to slippery road conditions across parts of North Dakota. This Foster County Sheriff’s Office photo shows a jackknifed semi-truck near Carrington, N.D., Thursday, Oct. 10. Submitted photo
A number of crashes were reported along I-94 Thursday, and nearly a dozen cars slid off the road between the Buffalo and Valley City exits. Two semis tipped over and one of the drivers had to break his windshield to get out of the cab.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol said only a few minor injuries were reported.
Keep up with changing road conditions with NDDOT’s interactive map.
Meanwhile, utility crews are on high alert for possible power outages caused by the ice and snow. WDAY Meteorologist Andrew Whitmyer says branches filled with leaves catch the heavy snow, causing them to snap and possibly fall on power lines.
