Part of Route 17 in Chelsea has been shut down due to a vehicle accident, according to a police radio broadcast.

The accident apparently involves only one vehicle, which has rolled over and trapped the victim inside. Life flight services have been called.

If I had a dollar everytime I saw someone go the wrong way down the new Senator Way to Western Avenue, I would be ordering the seafood marinara at the Liberal Cup every night.

The traffic pattern — which converted the old Storey Street, a two-way, into Senator Way, a two-lane one-way — was changed nearly a month ago, but many motorists still disregard the blatant "one-way" and "do not enter" signs posted at the entrance of the road, as well as the new striping, designating a one-way road.

Accidents were abundant this morning as freezing rain coated Augusta area roads in ice, turning them into treacherous ice rinks.

At leave 40 vehicle accidents were reported to various law enforcement agencies this morning, several of them roll-over crashes.

One such accident near Monmouth on Route 135 left a Monmouth man unscathed, luckily. Jeremy Gatcomb, 23, lost control of his sedan on an icy corner, and rolled over, striking a tree, Winthrop police Sgt. Dan Cook Winthrop said.

“I believe he was wearing his seat belt,” Cook said. Gatcomb was not injured and did not need to be taken to the hospital.

The Maine Department of Transportation has a handy web site for drivers to check before braving the streets this winter. Check out www.511maine.gov, and click on your region to get the scoop on up-to-the-minute driving conditions for your area.

Crews paving eastbound Western Avenue at the Irving gas station in Augusta have quit for the day.

The Augusta Police Department did not report any vehicle accidents. Kennebec County Sheriff's officials were called to a minor accident in Albion; dispatchers said there were no injuries and only minor damage.

Augusta police are investigating a crash involving at least three vehicles, including a school bus.

The accident happened at 3:20 p.m. at the corner of State and Capitol streets, a witness said in an e-mail to the Kennebec Journal. Two other vehicles with large dents in them were also found at the scene of the crash.

The Citizen Advisory Committee for the Maine Turnpike Authority will be meeting Wednesday night.

On the agenda? Discussing and reviewing the equity of the toll rates on the pike.

Folks traveling home this weekend after enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends should have exceptional flying and driving conditions over the weekend.

Most people are thinking of turkey, stuffing and pie this weekend — not driving — as they travel to see friends and relatives.

The Maine State Police announced today they are using additional traffic enforcement over the weekend to ensure travelers drive safely.

Car accidents go hand in hand with the first snowfall and the Augusta region had its share today.

Several vehicle accidents — including a rollover accident just in Lincoln County — were reported to authorities.

“It seems to me that the first snowstorm, or any accumulation, causes problems,” said Augusta police Sgt. Chris Read. “People have driven without (snow) for awhile, and then suddenly need to get used to it again.”

Three vehicle accidents were reported to police in Augusta today. Two of them, Read said, were more than likely caused by “slick surfaces.” No injuries were reported.

In the outlying areas, nine vehicle accidents were reported, though it was unclear if they were weather-related.

A rollover on Route 126 just past the Chelsea town line in Whitefield injured six people, but no one was seriously hurt, according to the Maine State Police dispatch center.

Read said preventing accidents is simple: “People just need to slow down and stay back. Leave at least one car length between you and the next car.”

The Maine Department of Transportation announced today that two bridges in Whitefield will be undergoing some much-needed rehab in coming months.

On the Albee Bridge, which crosses the Sheepscot River, workers restore the concrete foundation and install bridge drains, said spokesman Mike Eldridge. Due to the nature of the construction, wide loads will be restricted to no more than 12 feet in width, Elderidge said.

Coopers Mill Bridge, which also spans the Sheepscot, also will undergo a facelift. Eldridge said workers will restore the bridge’s concrete abutments and the main concrete support beam.

Both projects will start after Thanksgiving and are slated to last at least five months, given weather and water-level circumstances, Eldridge said. There also may be possible lane closures.

Two major accidents in the Augusta area didn't seriously injure anyone and have been cleared, police said.

The first was a two-car crash before school started on Eastern Avenue and Cony Street. Dispatchers said the two cars, a sedan and a pickup truck, collided, resulting in the sedan becoming crunched like an accordion.

Witnesses believe both drivers were teenagers. Police said neither victim was injured.

Then, a rollover accident happened on Interstate 95 near Exit 112 later in the morning. That crash shut down passing lanes going both north and south for more than 30 minutes.

The driver, who apparently became distracted or fell asleep at the wheel, was not seriously injured.

Both accidents were cleared, and traffic for the drive home should be back to normal.

With sunny skies and unseasonable warmth in the capital city, it’s hard to believe several counties to the north are facing a winter storm warning tonight.

Luckily, it does not appear the storm will affect commuting today or weekend travel.

Clouds and rain are expected to roll into the Augusta area late tonight, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is expected all day Thursday.

Not ready to start driving in snow yet? We may see a few flakes Friday, though the National Weather Service expects the Augusta area to continue boasting higher-than-normal temperatures, with a high of 42.

Expect a clear commute tonight. Only three fender-benders were reported today to the Augusta Police Department, and none from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.

Pittston residents may have noticed some changes on Route 126 today.

The Maine DOT has started work on 2.6 miles of the roadway. There will be tree cutting, replacing culverts, relocating utility poles, and a host of other projects.

DOT spokesman John Rodrigue said the project, which starts at the intersection of routes 126 and 27 and will head toward Whitefield, will be fully completed in September 2008.

What are your thoughts on the new project? Is this something the area needs? Let me know what you think.

The ride home has had many bumps this week; one day is sunny and uneventful, the next is littered with car accidents and slick streets.

Fortunately, today is one of those uneventful days. The National Weather Service is reporting dry streets, partly cloudy skies, and above-freezing temperatures for the drive home, and into the evening.

No vehicle accidents have been reported to the Augusta Police Department or the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office as of 3 p.m.

Have a traffic snarl scoop or tip? Call me at 623-3811 Ext. 431.

After yesterday's dreary rain, tonight’s commute is shaping up to be much smoother.

No accidents were reported by the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office as of 4 p.m. today. The Augusta Police Department responded to a minor accident early in the day, dispatchers said.

Yesterday was a completely different story.

The slick roads caused quite a few accidents around the Augusta area, injuring drivers and passengers, and snarling traffic.

An accident last night in Winthrop injured seven people and kept traffic backed up for over an hour, Winthrop police Sgt. Dan Cook said

The three-vehicle accident happened around 5 p.m. yesterday when a car driven by Jacob Puliot, 17, of Augusta, collided with a truck driven by Ronald Cook of Monmouth. The cars were in the intersection of Route 202 and Stanley Hill Road.

Lt. Cook said authorities believe the collision happened when Puliot, who had three other passengers in the car, failed to yield.

Ronald Cook was unable to stop. His vehicle hit Puliot's, spun out of control, and struck another car driven by Julie Littlefield and Winthrop.

The seven people — Littlefield was alone and Ronald Cook had a passenger — were all treated for minor injuries, Lt. Cook said.

No charges have been filed, as the accident is still being investigated, Lt. Cook said, though he added, "I wouldn't say the weather had much to do with this (crash)."

One thing is certain by looking out the window, if you’re lucky to have one near your cubicle: it’s not a nice day to go for a drive.

Cold temperatures, constant rain, slick streets, and nightfall by quitting time could equal one nasty commute if you aren't careful.

The Frank J. Wood Bridge connecting Brunswick and Topsham on Route 201 may be the site of some traffic backup tonight.

If you're heading south on Route 201 in the midcoast next week, be mindful of some maintenance work planned for the Frank J. Wood Bridge connecting downtown Brunswick and Topsham. Bridge traffic will be restricted to one lane from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Monday.

The work should be completed in six nights, but may be delayed by weather.

The Maine State Police will be on hand again tonight to direct traffic on the Maine Turnpike near Litchfield. Crews are installing a beam on the Lunts Hill Road Bridge and traffic stops will be required from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and could last up to 25 minutes. A southbound lane also will be closed until 6 p.m. tonight.

Officials from the Maine Turnpike Authority said the bridge work will wrap up in a few weeks.

Things look smooth in the Augusta area for the drive home. Rain is expected tonight, according to the National Weather Service, but it shouldn’t come until people are home from work or school.