One of many accidents on the Toll Road Friday, December 26. State police reported dealing with more than 50 accidents resulting from extremely icy morning conditions. (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Dec 26, 2008 at 7:54 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Dec 27, 2008 at 8:49 AM EDT
SOUTH BEND — No matter where you drove Friday morning, getting around was tough. Even people who took the Toll Road hoping for an easier ride found traffic at a standstill for almost four hours in places.
It was all due to slick road conditions. Toll Road officials say the pavement was pre-treated with a salt compound before Friday morning's freeze. They say crews have been continuously salting and plowing the road, but some people still had a tough time getting around.
“Pure ice — if you go over twenty five miles per hour, you're in a ditch for sure,” said Brian Caenepeel of Granger.
It was hazardous driving on the Indiana toll road.
Near the 60 mile marker there were problems in the eastbound lanes, but not due to an accident. Icy roads prevented some semis from moving up a slight hill. It stopped traffic for miles and hours.
“The trucks just simply can’t get up the hill,” said Rich Hill of Pennsylvania. “There's nothing in the ditch, they just can't get up the hills, and the sand trucks can't get up there to put sand because the trucks are in the way.”
It was one of several problems that drivers had to deal with. Many on the Toll Road Friday morning said it was a matter of slowing down, going by numerous slide-offs, getting on the road again, and then stopping again.
“It's been terrible!” said Terry Chmielewski of Wisconsin. “We've seen at least fifteen cars turned over on their hoods, on the side, left side, right side, everywhere.”
Jerry Becker of Angola had the same experience.
“Over by Angola we we're going about fifteen miles an hour. A lot of rollovers, semis upside down off the road, cars upside down.”
“It's treacherous and slick,” said Roger Klayer of South Bend. “You just take your time and watch out for the other guy, and be careful yourself."
There were earlier reports that the Toll Road was completely shut down from Illinois to Ohio, but that was not the case. State police reported dealing with more than 50 accidents, so portions of the highway were shut down.
Despite icy winter conditions, all lanes are open.
