LAC LA BICHE - Whether they were crossing from the Poplar Point to the south shore of Lac La Biche lake on Saturday afternoon, or just going out a little ways to an ice fishing spot, many motorists were ignoring a municipal warning about the seasonal ice road.
Lac La Biche County crews placed "Road Closed" signage at both entrances to the seasonal ice road across Lac La Biche lake late last week after a large crack had developed along a portion of the five kilometre ice-surface cut-across.
Crews had already tested ice thickness and heavy equipment had scraped a large roadway across the lake before the crack was discovered. Although ice thickness in most areas along the route are in excess of two-feet thanks to recent deep-freeze weather conditions, the crack, which municipal officials say is along a pressure ridge, was enough to raise the caution flag.
The drivers of some vehicles driving past the "Road Closed" sign on the southern entrance to the ice road opted to drive away from the road and across other parts of the lake that has seen very little snow cover this season.
Lac La Biche County officials say they are continuing to monitor the situation and have been trying to find ways to fix the ice issue.
The ice road runs across the lake from Range Road 145 near Maccagno Point to the north shore at Poplar Point and Range Road 144.