Airlines cancelling flights as blizzard hits US North East

If you're heading out to New England or the Tri-State area tonight or tomorrow, there's a good chance you're flight has already been cancelled.

A massive blizzard has the eastern seaboard in its sights. Areas like Long Island and eastern Massachusetts may see a staggering two feet (60cm) of snow fall overnight and into tomorrow. Forecasters say it could be a historic storm.

Boston Logan has confirmed that it will be cancelling all flights after 7pm this evening as a precaution.

Both Pearson and Billy Bishop are already showing numerous cancellations on their boards for Boston and New York City. They advise passengers to contact their airline before they head out to confirm if their flight is still operating.

If you're riding the rails instead, Amtrak says they are monitoring the situation and advised passengers to check with their website before heading to the station.

Which ever way you chose to travel, it's not going to be a great couple of days. Might well just stay home, get some hot chocolate, and veg out.

A winter storm is expected to impact flights to and from the Northeastern U.S. today & tomorrow. Please check flight times with airlines.
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) January 26, 2015

We're actively monitoring the forecasts along the NEC & are planning to operate a normal Mon schedule. (1 of 2)
— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNEC) January 25, 2015

Before heading to the station pls check our service alert page. We will update as necessary. http://t.co/RsMsh0GaYM (2 or 2)
— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNEC) January 26, 2015

401 closed at Furnival due to crash

Carnage Alley is certainly living up to its reputation this winter. The 401 has been closed again in both directions Thursday at Fernival Road due to a serious crash.

The accident happened shortly after 4pm just outside the village of Rodney, about 48km south-west of London.

Details regarding the nature of the collision are not known at this time.

Drivers seeking an alternate route around the problem can head south to Highway 3 or north to Highway 2.

Kids will ride free on TTC, but fare hike for adults

Turns out this is such a thing as a free ride, at least if you're under 12 and on the TTC.

The plan comes as part of Mayor John Tory's plan to invest $95 million back into the transit service.

“We need to get Toronto moving and investing in transit is an essential part of that,” Tory said in a statement to reporters.

The TTC is also looking to speed up service and reduce overcrowding along major routes.

These improvements include:
• Restoration of all day, everyday bus service that was cut in 2011
• Ten-minute or better bus and streetcar service on key routes from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. six days a week (9 a.m. on Sundays)
• Reduced wait times and crowding at off-peak times
• Reduced wait times and crowding on 21 of the busiest routes during morning and afternoon rush hours
• Proof-of-payment and all-door boarding on all streetcar routes
• Expansion of the Express Bus network, adding four new routes to a network that serves 34 million rides annually
• Expanding the Blue Night Network, adding 12 routes to the 22-route network that serves 4 million rides annually
• Adding up to two additional subway trains on Lines 1 and 2 during morning and afternoon rush hours
• Route management improvements designed to reduce short-turns, bunching and gapping of bus and streetcar routes
• Additional resources to focus on subway reliability around signals, track and communications systems

Of course, the upgrades don't come cheap. Adult riders will be facing a ten cent fare increase per trip starting March 1st, though cash fares are exempt.

The city has not said when it plans to implement the changes.

Photo by CCC2012 via Wikipedia

Overpass collapse kills 1 in Cincinnati

One person is dead following the collapse of an overpass along a stretch of I-75 through Cincinnati.

The incident happened around 10:30pm Monday evening. Crews had been demolishing the bridge at Hopple Street when something went wrong.

Debris landed on the highway below, crushing a tractor trailer and killing one construction worker. The driver of the truck survived and was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

"The big-rig driver is very lucky; in a matter of seconds his fate would have probably been different," police chief Jeff Blackwell told Canadian Press reporters.

Commuters faced traffic chaos heading into downtown Cincinnati this morning. Drivers are being asked to seek alternative routes while Department of Transportation crews continue their investigation.

Cincinnati, OH *Bridge Collapse* I-75 at Hopple St. One fatal, one injd. I-75 closed. #OHfire pic.twitter.com/xXh8COivGW
— CAROLINAS FIRE PAGE (@CFPalerts) January 20, 2015

Photo by City of Cincinnati @CincyFireEMS, via Twitter

Oregon man survives being pancaked between two trucks

An Oregon man is lucky to be alive after a massive pileup left his pickup truck was pancaked between two tractor-trailers.

CarThrottle reports that the crash happened Saturday along a stretch of Interstate 84.

27-year old Kaleb Whitby's Chevrolet Silverado spun out and collided with one truck. He was quickly hit by a second. Fortunately, his pickup crumpled, forming a protective cocoon.

Whitby was miraculously able to walk away with only minor injuries. and probably a new change of underpants. He describes himself as the 'luckiest man alive'.

Officials are blaming black ice and foggy conditions for the pileup.

World's Luckiest Man Walks Away With Only Minor Cuts After Two Trucks Sandwich His Pickup http://t.co/xKDtF21IWF pic.twitter.com/h0763679xI
— Car Throttle (@CarThrottle) January 19, 2015

Truck crash shuts down 401 through Newcastle

The 401 eastbound is closed through Newcastle Monday after a serious crash during the early morning hours.

Ontario Provincial Police responded to calls around 5:30am that at least two trucks had collided at Mill Street.

Crews expect the highway to remain closed until at least the noon hour for clean up.

More to come.

Photo by Chris Dick, via Flickr.

407 closed after serious crash involving GO Bus: UPDATED

Part of the eastbound 407 ETR was closed Wednesday night after a serious collision involving a GO Bus.

Police responded to calls around 10:30pm that a vehicle had crashed through a steel guard rail and rolled on to its side in the grass median.

One victim had been ejected and was found trapped under the vehicle. They succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Ontario Provincial Police have identified the victim as Radika Nankissooor, a 56-year-old woman from Brampton.

Three other people, including the unnamed 66-year-old driver, were taken hospital with minor injuries. Two male passengers were unhurt.

GO Transit officials confirmed via Twitter that the bus involved in the crash was the Route 47 Hamilton to York University, which had departed at 8:30pm.

Speaking to media, GO Transit president Greg Percy said that this was the first death the transit agency has ever had on its trains or buses. He expressed his condolences to the victim's family.

Police and officials will be going through the vehicle's data recorder to try and determine what caused the crash.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is being urged to contact OPP at 905-841-5777.

The eastbound lanes of the 407 remained closed through the overnight, but were reopened at 5am Thursday morning.

Highway 407 eastbound closed at Weston Rd for fatal @GOtransit bus rollover. @VaughanFire @VPFFA @GOgrodzinski301 pic.twitter.com/SCANdTZfMG
— DR (@Media371) January 15, 2015

Those inquiring about loved ones potentially involved in Hwy407/Weston Rd #GOBus incident are encouraged to contact OPP
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) January 15, 2015

Tonight's incident on Hwy407/Weston Rd is tragic. Our hearts go out to families involved and the injured. We are cooperating fully with OPP.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) January 15, 2015

UNEDITED INTERVIEW WITH OPP REGARDING FATAL GO TRANSIT BUS CRASH ON HWY 407 #VAUGHAN #Toronto #CBCTO https://t.co/lU3AmLtBWA
— Tony Smyth (@LateNightCam) January 15, 2015

Photo by Chris Dick via Flickr, additional photos by @Media371 via Twitter

Chevy's new all-electric Bolt to go 320km on a single charge

America's "Big Three" auto manufacturers have lagged behind the likes Nissan and BWM when it comes to bringing small electric vehicles to the market. Chevrolet is hoping to change that with the new 2015 Bolt.

The company showed off its new all-electric vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show this month.

Very little is known about the Bolt right now. The vehicle appears very similar to BMW's i3, with large windows and an airy interior. According to Autombile Magazine, it's constructed of lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fibre.

Chevy promises it will be able go up to 200 miles (320 kilometres) on a single charge. Though there's no word on what kind of performance or features drivers can expect.

The Bolt's concept interior is ultra-futuristic. J.J. Abrams lens flares not included.

The Bolt is expected to cost $37,500 before tax incentives, which might be a bit too rich for some people's blood. Though this is one of the first compact EVs to offer range somewhat comparable to their larger gasoline counterparts.

General Motors has been looking to expand its electric line-up lately. Improvements have also been made to the 2016 Volt, which has seen its all-electric range boosted to 50 miles.

The Bolt will be the third EV in GM's fleet, joining the Spark and Cadillac ELR.

Collision closes part of 401 in Elgin County

The 401 westbound has reopened Friday afternoon through Elgin county after a collision had closed it for several hours.

OPP had responded to calls shortly after 11am that a tractor trailer had crashed with a road salter just outside the town of Rodney.

All westbound lanes were shut down between Furnival Road and Orford Road.

The highway was reopened to traffic around 4pm.

Trolley buses a solution to TTC's streetcar problems

Trolley Bus in Vancouver. Photo by Steve Morgan via Wikipedia

The Red Rocket streetcars are an icon of Toronto. Clanging their way through the downtown on one of the world's oldest and largest networks. The city just wouldn't be the same without them.

However, they're not without their problems.

When the system was built, it was on roads that handled far less vehicular traffic than they do today. 

Each time streetcars stop, they take out two full lanes to drop off passengers. That's not to mention how dangerous it is dumping riders off into a live lane of traffic. They don't have flashing lights or signs like a school bus does. 

The streetcars are also a nightmare to dispatch. That's why they're often delayed, or you see them travelling in packs. Since they're tied down to rails, if one's behind, it creates a huge bottleneck. Other streetcars can't just overtake it. So the whole system gets bogged down.

Whenever the rails have to be maintained, it means streets get dug up, snarling traffic.

Finally, as we saw this week, the ageing vehicles don't handle the city's harsh weather all that well. Frozen break lines took twenty out of service, forcing the TTC to resort to shuttle buses. 

Dedicated light rail lines have been proposed as one solution to this issue. However, these still take out an entire lane of traffic. Their drawn construction process can also reek havoc on local economies.

The streetcars may be iconic but they're no longer practical. What if there was an easy and cheap solution to the problem?

There is: the trolley bus.

A trolley bus is a hybrid between a bus and a streetcar. It looks like a regular bus, but gets its power from overhead lines. The same ones that currently power the TTC's streetcars.

Vintage TTC trolley bus, circa 1987. Photo by Steve Morgan, via Wikipedia

They run on electricity, so they're still an emissions free vehicle. Yet they're not tied down to rails. Meaning they can change lanes, and drop passengers safely off at the curb. Since they run on regular rubber tires, they're not only quieter but could significantly cut down on maintenance costs. There's no tracks to repair or replace. No digging to disrupt traffic either. 

Of course you still have the dispatching issues, since buses can't switch wires easily (yet), but it does solve several major problems associated with the streetcars. 

In fact, it's so brilliant the TTC actually has used them in the past. They've been a big success in other Canadian cities as well, such as Vancouver. So why'd they stop? Who knows, but it's definitely time they made a comeback. 

TTC streetcars freeze in cold weather

If you needed another reason to hate riding Toronto's iconic streetcars, here's one: They don't work in the cold.

The city has been plunged into the deep freeze this week, and it seems to have taken its toll on transit. CTV reports more than 20 streetcars have been taken out of service due to the cold weather. TTC spokesperson Brad Ross blamed an aging fleet and frozen brake lines for the issue.

Shuttle buses are being provided along affected routes in order to ease congestion. Riders may continue to experience delays on the 502, 502, and 511 lines.

Buses are being utilized to augment service on the 502 Downtowner, 503 Kingston, 511 Bathurst routes due to weather related equipment issues
— Official TTC Tweets (@TTCnotices) January 8, 2015

Deep freeze driving tips

It's cold out there. How cold is it? It's so cold my long johns are wearing long johns.

Hell, or rather Southern Ontario, has frozen over this week with bitter windchills and subnormal temperatures. If you think that's hard on you, it's hard on your ride too. Here's some tips to help keep your car and your commute running smoothly during the cold weather.

Pack an emergency kit
A winter emergency kit is absolutely essential. You never know if you'll get snowed in or your car will break down. Make sure you're prepared.

Essentials:
-Snow bush
-Small shovel
-Jumper cables
-Cell phone and charger
-Blanket
-Extra washer fluid
-Flashlight with spare batteries
-Snacks and water

Optional, but a good idea:
-Battery booster pack, in case nobody's around
-Sand or road salt
-Flares
-Lighter
-Air pump and tire repair kit

Don't warm up unattended
Cold days are like an all-you-can-eat theft buffet for criminals. People start their cars to let them warm up, then go inside. You might as well just give it away.

Your engine doesn't need an extended warm up period on cold days. Some mechanics debate if they even need to be warmed up at all. If you want heat, the fastest way to get it is to just get in and drive. Seriously. It might suck for the first few minutes but you'll waste less time and fuel, and reduce the risk of getting your ride stolen.

No cold pets, or kids
Back in the summertime, you were told not to leave your furry friends alone in a hot car. Cold weather can be just as dangerous too.

Kids and pets should never be left alone in a locked car, period. Especially during extremely hot or cold days. Police warn that you can and will be charged.

Clean all the snow off your car
A lot of people just clean the snow off their windows and call it a day. Those people are jerks. It's like driving behind a comet. Worse still when big chunks of ice start flying off. That's when thing get dangerous.

It's also illegal too. You could get ticketed for not clearing snow and ice off your vehicle, so take the extra time to do it. Your fellow drivers will thank you.  

Get an oil change
Synthetic oil can make starting easier in the winter time than conventional blends. While it's more expensive, you can also go further between oil changes.

Even if you don't use it, might be a good idea to get a fresh batch of oil if you haven't done so in awhile. Oil should be changed every 8,000 to 12,000km depending on driving conditions. Check it regularly.

Keep the tank topped up
If you happen to get stuck in a snow storm, you want gas in reserve to keep you warn and keep your phone charged. Just make sure you clear your tailpipe before trying to run the engine.

Leave extra stopping distance
If you live in the GTA, you probably don't need snow tires. They're nice to have but not an absolute necessity within city limits. You should probably get them though if you have a rural commute, or own a rear wheel drive sports car.

That said, all-seasons do have their limitations in cold weather. They get harder. Hard tires reduce friction, which means greater stopping distances in frigid temperatures. If you're using them, make sure to keep this in mind. Don't follow too closely.

On ice? Feather that gas
Know what to do if you hit a sudden snow drift or icy road? Take your foot off the gas, that's what. Seems like common sense, but a lot of people don't get it. It will slow you down and give you more control. Feather the peddle to give yourself only the power you need to keep going. It's a bit of an art to master in really bad conditions but it will keep you out of trouble. For an added bonus, try putting it into second gear. It reduces torque on your wheels, making starting, stopping, and controlling your vehicle a lot easier.

Oh, and just slow the hell down period on winter roads. Excessive speed is the number one cause of accidents during bad weather.

SUVs don't make you invulnerable 
4WD and AWD vehicles were originally invented to off-road across the European countryside. They weren't meant for snow and ice. That's why ski resorts use tracked snowcats and not Ford Explorers.

While they will give you a bit more traction, it doesn't make you invulnerable. If you can do donuts in a 4x4 (which I can and have done), you can slide on ice. Slow down and leave plenty of space no matter what you're driving.

As an extra piece of advice, 4x4 pickup trucks are surprisingly bad in the snow. They have little weight in the back, so the rear wheels tend to kick out and they fishtail. Throw a couple sandbags or bricks over that rear axle.

Leave extra time
Cold temperatures, especially combined with snow, will mean a long slog to work. Make sure to leave plenty of time so you're not rushing. It seems like common sense but a lot of folks just don't get this concept. That's why we have accidents, and can't have nice things.

Snow squalls shut down 401 in London

The eastbound 401 has reopened Wednesday afternoon after heavy snow squalls burried parts of the highway west of London.

Crews responded to numerous crashes through western Middlesex county after heavy lake effect bands slammed the region.

401 through London, Ontario Wednesday afternoon

Roads remain treacherous and driving is not advised until the storm stops and roads can be cleared.

Out in Chatham-Kent, OPP had the westbound 401 closed through Comber, also due to heavy snow and several collisions. It has also since reopened.

WB 401 still closed after multi vehicle crash involving several transports. Speed too fast for weather and roads. pic.twitter.com/2PB3X0WUWv
— OPP West (@OPP_WR) January 7, 2015

Photos via @OPP_WR 

Toronto Police tow 29 vehicles this morning in parking blitz

Some Toronto drivers discovered their cars were not where they left them Monday. It's all part of a new crackdown on illegally parked vehicles, and now many are facing a trip to the impound yard.

Toronto Police said they towed 29 vehicles during the morning rush. An additional seventy were ticketed for other violations.

City residents and commuters have complained for years about people parking in live lanes of traffic. Mayor John Tory promised in his election campaign to put a stop to that.

The ongoing initiative seeks to ease congestion through the downtown core.

What do you think? Are you in favour of the program, or does it punish drivers making a quick stop?


Photo by Dave Connor, via Flickr

Snow squalls creating treacherous driving near Barrie

After a relatively mild December, Winter is once again slamming Cottage Country with it a mighty arctic blast. Barrie is getting buried Monday morning, creating some treacherous driving conditions along the 400.

MTO crews report the highway is still snow covered in sections north of the Highway 11 split.

Police have reported at least one tractor trailer has gone into the ditch on the southbound side near Springwater. Drivers are advised to avoid the area until the squalls taper off and crews can get out to plough the roads.

Road conditions are treacherous between north Barrie&Orillia.#OPP ask drivers if you see snow,go slow&pls drive with full headlights on!!
— Ontario Prov Police (@OPP_News) January 5, 2015

Image via Google Maps 

GTA under freezing rain warning Saturday

Winter weather is impacting the drive across much of southern Ontario Saturday afternoon.

Environment Canada has issued freezing rain warnings for a large chunk of the province, including the GTA.

About 5-10cm of snow is expected to fall across northern parts of the city, with 2mm of ice accumulation possible. The biggest risk being into late afternoon and across the supper hour. Moderate snowfall was already accumulating in Toronto as of 1pm.

Precipitation is expected to change to rain as temperatures rise through the overnight.

Ice will be the biggest risk for drivers. The roadbed is still below freezing so there's concerns that rain may freeze on contact. This will make for dangerous driving conditions in some areas. Crews were out Friday laying salt in preparation for the storm, however rain may wash it away.

Police advise motorists to slow down and leave plenty of space between the car in front of them. Make sure vehicles are well stocked with washer fluid and other winter supplies.

Image by Environment Canada

GO Transit service changes start January 3rd

GO Transit is ringing in the New Year with service changes this weekend.

Starting January 3rd, the agency will be boosting trips on some routes while making minor alterations to bus schedules. 

Check out the GO Transit website for more information.

More Service:

• Two new weekday train trips on the Milton line and changes to some current train times to provide more frequent service overall.
• More bus trips on Fridays between York University and the University of Waterloo and between Square One and University of Waterloo.
• New trips on many GO Bus routes to ease crowding.

Changing Service:

• Time changes on some Barrie line train trips, including earlier morning departures at some stations to help ensure on-time arrivals at Union Station.
• Several weekday trips on GO Bus Route 21 will be discontinued with the introduction of the new Milton line trains.
•  GO Bus Route 67 will now serve the Park & Rides on Hwy. 404 at Queensville Sideroad and at Woodbine and no longer serve the Glenwoods Park & Ride.
• Minor changes to some GO Bus times, to better reflect actual travel times, and some earlier departures. 

Reinstated Service:

• GO Bus trips that were suspended for the December exam and holiday period will be reinstated.

Image by davidwilson1949 via Wikipedia

Hurontario and Derry reopen after fatal collision

Peel Regional Police have reopened the intersection of Hurontario and Derry this afternoon after an earlier fatal collision.

The incident happened shortly before 8am this morning when police responded to a call that a male pedestrian had been struck. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

The victim's name has not been released, nor have charges been laid at this time.

The intersection is located in a heavily congested industrial area on the border between Brampton and Mississauga.

Photos by Chris Dick, via Flickr, Google Maps

Rain, ice pellets to impact Saturday's drive

Toronto area drivers could be in for a slushy ride Saturday as the region as a mixed bag of winter weather targets the region.

Environment Canada has put out a special weather statement for the GTA, warning of a mix of snow followed by rain, with potential for freezing rain as well. 5-10cm may blanket portions of central and eastern Ontario. Lake effect snow continues to be a problem in Cottage Country as well, with squall warnings in effect for Barrie and Orillia.

Here in the city, we can expect 3-7cm of ice pellets through the afternoon, turning into rain for the evening. That's enough to ensure slippery road conditions and a slow weekend commute.

The good news is that temperatures are poised to warm up for your Sunday with 6 degrees forecasted. Temperatures will plummet though for your Monday, just in time for the return to work.

Photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen via Wikipedia

Japanese taxis and convenience stores team up to cut robberies

Convenience stores might as well have a huge target painted on them. Robbery is a common problem, especially if the shop happens to be open 24-hours. One city in Japan is betting that taxi drivers may be the solution to cutting down on this type of crime.

In 2011, Kyoto police started the "Midnight Defender Strategy". Convenience stores partner up with cab drives, allowing them to use their parking lot to take breaks during overnight hours. The goal was to add an extra set of eyes in hopes that it would deter potential thieves.

Police say the initiative has been a huge success. RocketNews24 reports that participating stores have seen robberies drop by 78%, while the total number of robberies across the city have been cut in half.

One store manager said that “having the drivers around for any amount of time leads to a sense of security. Our midnight staff especially thanks them.”