WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The re-routing of traffic from portions of Business 40 in Winston-Salem will not just have an effect on those heading to work, but also ambulances.

  • Forsyth County EMS took Business 40 out of its mapping system before the closure took place.
  • Heavy traffic on the back roads could affect ambulance arrival times.
  • Several agencies were scheduled to set up a command center Monday morning to monitor traffic and alternate routes.

Forsyth County EMS took Business 40 out of its mapping system before the closure took place.

"They've gone into the CAD and they've closed Business 40 down from Highway 52 to Peters Creek Parkway so it will not route them on Business 40 at all. It will route them around the road closure," Max Hunter, an EMS shift supervisor said.

He said heavy traffic on the back roads could affect ambulance arrival times.

"We're going to be using those same back roads, so obviously there's going to be some times where it will be slower arrival times, possible slower en route times due to the amount of traffic on the back roads," Hunter added.

As of Sunday, Hunter said it had been smooth sailing on detours for EMS.

"We haven't had any problems since Saturday morning. But, again, there's not the traffic out there this weekend that's going to be out there during the week Monday through Friday," Hunter said.

Several agencies were scheduled to set up a command center Monday morning to monitor traffic and alternate routes.