πŸ“° YAHOO NEWS

Parts of I-44 shut down due to crashes. SPD asks drivers to stay off snow-covered roads

This story has been updated to include more up-to-date information.

Several accidents along Interstate 44 have resulted in portions of the highway being closed as snow continues to fall in southwest Missouri.

Springfield police warned that, as snow continues to fall and accumulate, it is creating dangerous road conditions alongside wind gusts that reduce visibility.

Snow in Downtown Springfield on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Westbound I-44 just east of Highway 65 was closed starting at 3:40 p.m., with the closure expected to last three hours, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation travel information map. The closure, past Exit 82B U.S. 65 North/Sedalia at mile marker 82.6, is due to a vehicle crash.

Another closure due to a vehicle crash is also reported at I-44 westbound past Exit 80 to Business 44/RTE H Glenstone Avenue. Springfield Police Department chief spokesperson Cris Swaters said the westbound ramp from Glenstone onto I-44 is also closed. Eastbound traffic was open as of about 4:30 p.m.

As of 5:50 p.m., one lane westbound is open, Swaters confirmed.

More: Have to get on the road in the snow? Here’s how to prepare, check road conditions

On the west side of Springfield, several delays are expected on I-44 due to two non-injury vehicle accidents. One is near the I-44 and Kansas Expressway interchange while the other is only slightly further west past Exit 77. Both of these were expected to be cleared by 5 p.m., according to the map.

SPD is urging people to not get on the roads if possible as road conditions continue to deteriorate.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Interstate 44 partially closed due to snow, crashes around Springfield


Source link

Back to top button