AUSTIN, Texas — A winter storm has brought icy road conditions to Central Texas, causing crashes and forcing several road closures. Many services have also shut down as the region deals with freezing rain and cold temperatures.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) began to pretreat bridges and overpasses on major Austin roads earlier this week in preparation for the expected icy conditions on Thursday and Friday. Even so, crashes have been reported as roads remain slick.
Officials are warning residents to stay off the roads if they can because of icy conditions. If you must drive, take it slow. If a signal is dark, treat it as a four-way stop.
An interactive map can also be found at kvue.com/traffic.
Here's a look at some of the most notable traffic updates in the Austin area:
Friday
11:26 p.m. - ATCEMS reports a rollover crash with two patients, one of which was entrapped in a vehicle. Both were taken to St. David's South with potentially serious injuries. The crash occurred near 6300-7139 E Ben White Blvd. eastbound.
Thursday
8:52 p.m. - ATCEMS, APD and AFD are on the scene of a crash potentially involving 14 vehicles at the 6100 block of N. I-35 southbound.
Officials said only one person suffered minor injuries and refused transport.
7:56 p.m. - Units are being released at the scene of a water rescue. One person was walked out from about 18 to 24 feet of water. No injuries reported.
7:42 p.m. - ATCEMS and Travis County ESD #12 are on the scene or a reported water rescue at Bitting School Road. Rescuers are reporting one vehicle stuck in the water at a low-water crossing with one person inside.
7 p.m. - The NBPD reports a traffic fatality on Highway 46.
6:51 p.m. - TxDOT says an 18 wheeler is blocking all lanes and the exit ramp on southbound Interstate 35 at Stassney Lane.
6:18 p.m. - The Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) says Bullick Hollow from Oasis Bluff to RM 620 is closed and will remain that way overnight due to heavy icing and very hazardous conditions.
6:12 p.m. - Williamson County officials report multiple accidents on I-35.
6 p.m. – KVUE's Maria Aguilera reports an 18-wheeler jackknifed on I-35 northbound just south of SH 29 in Georgetown.
5:53 p.m. – The scene at FM 620 and Bullick Hollow has been cleared with the patients refusing transport. The highway remains closed.
5:57 p.m. - CapMetro said it will operate on a critical service schedule on Friday, Feb. 4. The limited service will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 30 to 60-minute frequencies on routes that could benefit thousands of daily bus riders who use those routs to access jobs, essential services and grocery stores.
For a full list of routes not running on Friday and alternate services, visit CapMetro's website.
5:13 p.m. - Austin-Travis County EMS reports a 6-vehicle crash near N. FM 620 Road and Bullick Hollow Road. Caller reported a dump truck trying to sand the road was struck by another vehicle. Two patients were reported.
4:37 p.m. - The Austin Fire Department (AFD) said from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Feb. 3, the department has responded to the following calls for service:
- Total incidents: 128
- Fires: 6
- Traffic accidents/injuries: 10
- Wires down/arcing: 4
- Broken water pipes: 2
3:44 p.m. – TxDOT said all lanes of northbound Interstate 35 are closed due to a crash.
11:20 a.m. – TxDOT said southbound Interstate 35 upper deck was closed due to a crash.
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