Winter weather creates chaotic driving conditions

Winter weather ravaged roads throughout the Flathead Valley Thursday and Friday. The Montana Highway patrol responded to more than 50 incidents over the two days in the Kalispell division, including a fatal crash, multiple injury wrecks and dozens of slide offs.

Several crashes closed roads, including incidents Thursday on Highway 40 and Dillon Road at 4 p.m.; another at the intersection of Whitefish Stage and West Reserve at 4:50 p.m.; and on U.S. 2 at the top of Hartt Hill at 6:20 p.m.

A slide-off crash in Marion blocked the westbound lane of U.S. 2 Friday morning as firefighters flagged traffic through the scene.

The Montana Department of Transportation reported snow and ice covered roads throughout the region. The department utilized all of their plow and plow drivers in an effort to keep up with the latest winter weather event, according to Kalispell division maintenance chief Justun Juelfs.

Juelfs said plow drivers work 12-hour shifts to provide 24-hour coverage during big winter storms.

“As long as we have an active weather event we will stick with it if that’s what it takes,” Juelfs said.

Still, he said, it can be a struggle to keep roads clear during high-impact weather events. The department is responsible for clearing 550 lane miles of Highway in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls, Juelfs reported.

Fourteen snow plow operators are responsible to clear and treat these stretches of road, he said.

“It takes time to get through each section, We can’t be everywhere immediately.” Juelfs said. “When we have a high rate of snowfall we have a lot of roads to treat, and that’s when it comes to prioritizing resources.”

The transportation worker asked drivers to be patient and safe with plow trucks and emergency vehicles.

The Montana Department of Transportation reports 13 plow-vehicle crashes so far this winter season. Montana Highway Patrol reports five troopers were involved in crashes throughout the state last month through no fault of their own.

The transportation department has a smartphone app available to provide the latest road conditions and maps, giving travelers information to make educated travel decisions, Juelfs said. This could include drivers giving themselves extra time to get where they need to go, or staying home if possible.

The transportation office also asks drivers to make sure their vehicles are equipped for the snow with plenty of gas and winter tires.

“Tires are key this time of year. Make sure they are in good condition,” Juelfs said.

The Montana Department of Transportation travel website can be found at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.