Winter Storm Q Complicates Friday Commute Around Maple Grove

Snow is falling as predicted with Winter Storm Q in the Twin Cities, and it was a  slow going on highways and roads around Maple Grove.

Several accidents occurred throughout Minnesota Friday morning. From 5 a.m. to 9 a.m, the Minnesota State Patrol stated there has been 124 crashes, 23 with injuries and one fatality in Eagan. Another 119 vehicles have left the road or spun out, including two on westbound Highway 610 near Highway 169 as reported by the Star Tribune.

The National Weather Service has Hennepin County under a winter snow advisory until 6 p.m. Friday with a forecast of four to six inches possible throughout the day.

Snow removal operations began in Maple Grove Friday morning around 3 a.m. with a smaller number of plows focused on the major roadways. A full crew and full plow started around 8:30 a.m., according to Transportation Operations Engineer Marc Culver.  

"We’ll be plowing all day today with the expectation of getting all the cul-de-sacs cleared later tonight. We are hoping the snow lets up shortly after lunch today. Depending on how that actually plays out, we may have some trucks out overnight tonight as well," Culver wrote in an email to Patch.

Trails and walks are also being cleared Friday and Culver wrote the city will "most likely be able to get the school walking routes and the trails along the major roadways" on Friday as well. 

"Recreational trails around the lakes and such probably won’t get cleared until Monday," Culver said.

As of 10:15 a.m., Hennepin County wrote on Twitter, "Our crews have been out since 3 a.m. (snow started around 1:15 a.m.) clearing the roads and will keep plowing until conditions improve."

Commuters heading through Maple Grove took to Twitter to share their comments on the snowfall.

• ScottWilkie40 wrote: 14 cars in the ditch on 94 between Monticello and Maple Grove ... unreal

• celebarista wrote: @MSPnewsie you mean 7 hours isn't enough time to commute from Maple Grove...? Haha.

• Yank5Fan wrote: @MSP_Traffic took 610 from maple grove all the way to 10 in Blaine As long as you're careful on your speeds, it's smooth sailing. #champion

• CindyChapmanMom wrote: Uh oh...8:12, gridlock Maple Grove. New my luck wouldn't last. instagr.am/p/WCUMjWJTxI/

More information will be updated as it becomes available.

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