Traffic chaos erupted in southeast Calgary Tuesday afternoon as a multi-vehicle collision forced authorities to completely shut down southbound Deerfoot Trail near Peigan Trail, leaving thousands of commuters stranded in gridlocked traffic.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after 2:30 PM to respond to what witnesses described as a significant pileup involving at least four vehicles. The collision occurred in the busy corridor that serves as a major artery for Calgary's southeast communities.
Calgary Police Service has advised motorists to seek alternate routes, with detours adding an estimated 30-45 minutes to typical travel times. The closure has created a domino effect, backing up traffic on surrounding roads including Stoney Trail and Memorial Drive.
While the extent of injuries remains unclear, emergency medical services were observed treating multiple individuals at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not provided an estimated timeline for reopening the affected lanes.