CHICAGO.- A stretch of almost 50 kilometers of a road in the state of Illinois remains closed since yesterday following a multiple crash involving around 100 vehicles.
“Interstate 39 southbound from Normal to Minonk will be closed for approximately 12 hours due to the multiple crash.”the Illinois State Police tweeted Thursday.
The accident occurred on I-39 shortly before 5:00 p.m. Thursday, according to local press reports. Slippery conditions caused by the winter storm are believed to have contributed to the crash.
“Together, with our local partners, we are working diligently to ensure that motorists are safely escorted from the area to the warming centers,” the Illinois State Police added, while urging the public to exercise extreme caution and only travel if absolutely necessary.
“Numerous crashes and storm conditions are making travel extremely dangerous, if not impossible,” said Sgt. Major Matt McCormick.
The accident occurred as this section of north-central Illinois was experiencing heavy snowfall and “significantly reduced visibility”according to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois.
Also, Interstate 74 eastbound near Champaign was completely blocked following a crash involving several semis, the news agency reported. The Associated Press.
More than 500 flights were canceled Thursday at Chicago’s two international airports. and Illinois State Police urged motorists to stay off the roads.
were recorded until 4 inches of snow dragged by the wind that caused multiple complications.
Since Twitter, the Illinois Department of Transportation has reported more accidents on highways like I-80 and I-57.
Kansas City and Missouri also reported snow drifts causing school closures and traffic accidents..
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in Illinois announced a improved weather conditions for the weekend.
