Triangle traffic: Snow, wet roads didn't deter local drivers
Triangle motorists managed to navigate the Wednesday morning rush hour commute without major incident, even as a winter weather system brought rain and a wintry mix of frozen precipitation to parts of the region.
Two incidents snarled traffic on Interstate 40 in south Raleigh and I-87 on the city's eastern side, but there were no other major traffic crashes and the morning rush -- for the most part -- unfolded Wednesday like it generally does.
The two incidents on local roads that prompted huge backups:
- A tractor-trailer fire on Interstate 40 at South Saunders Street in south Raleigh. It was not immediately clear what led to the fire and it was not known if any injuries have been reported. Heavy traffic back-ups were reported as emergency crews responded to the scene. The cab was removed from the scene but the burned out trailer remained on the side of the freeway.
- A crash in the southbound lanes of I-87 at New Hope Road on Raleigh's east side. A crash was blocking all lanes, but traffic was moving slowly as motorists made their way on the freeway shoulder.
- Airline passengers flying to northeastern cities were advised to check with their carriers because delays at Raleigh-Durham International Airport were reported Wednesday morning for outgoing flights to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Road conditions could worsen as the morning progresses because of a winter weather system moving through parts of central North Carolina.
A Winter Weather Advisory was in effect for several counties, including Durham, Orange, Vance, Person and Granville counties until 11 a.m.
"Most of those (snowy) areas are up to the Virginia border or the Roxboro area," Moss said.
