Traffic flowing again on Interstate 70 west after crash

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

UPDATE 4:00 p.m.: MoDOT tweeted Monday afternoon that crews reopened to traffic on Interstate 70 to westbound traffic. The interstate was closed for about two hours for a crash involving several vehicles.

🚨 3:45 pm I-70 Traffic Update: The westbound driving lane of I-70 near the Rocheport bridge is now open. Please continue to use caution through the area and expect some backups to continue as crews continue clearing the area. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NoNJbY0MVD

— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) January 20, 2020

MoDOT's traveler map shows drivers could still have delays for the next few hours.

Watch ABC 17 News at 5 for the latest coverage on Mid-Missouri traffic and travel impacts tonight.

ORIGINAL: Westbound Interstate 70 traffic was being diverted onto Highway 40 on Monday afternoon because of a crash on the Missouri River bridge.

The Boone County Fire Protection District said at about 2 p.m. that traffic was backed up from the bridge into western Columbia because of several tractor-trailers blocking traffic.

2:00 PM TRAFFIC UPDATE: Multiple tractor trailers are blocking I-70 WB at the Missouri River Bridge. Traffic is backed up into western Columbia (MM122). Westbound traffic being diverted onto Highway 40. pic.twitter.com/Q7s2KHS0Yr

— Boone County Fire (@BooneCountyFire) January 20, 2020

The Missouri Department of Transportation's traveler information map showed state highways around Mid-Missouri were partially covered in snow. Boone County dispatchers reported several crashes during the lunch hour, including one near the Missouri River bridge on Interstate 70.

🚨I-70 Traffic Alert 🚨

Traffic backed up in both directions on I-70 at the Missouri River bridge near Rocheport due to a multi-vehicle crash. Please use caution and avoid this route if possible. pic.twitter.com/6kuTGM5iiN

— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) January 20, 2020

LIVE: Traffic backed up on Missouri River bridge on I-70

Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said about a dozen vehicles were involved in the crash at the bridge and the bridge was shut down as of about 1:30 p.m. MoDOT estimated the closure could last an hour.

Road conditions continue to deteriorate. Multiple accidents in Columbia and Boone County. Don’t drive unless you absolutely need to, and if you do drive...SLOW DOWN!

— Boone County Fire (@BooneCountyFire) January 20, 2020

Some schools around Mid-Missouri called early dismissals Monday as light snow fell.

Several schools were also running buses on snow routes only.

Most public school districts were already out Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. However, schools such as Camdenton, Eldon and Russellville were in session. Camdenton and Russellville decided to close early while Eldon buses were on snow routes only.

A full list of closings and cancellations is available by clicking here.

A thin layer of snow had coated the ground and roads in Columbia by 1 p.m. Forecasters expected up to 1 inch of snow to accumulate.

Both Columbia and Jefferson City's public works departments brought crews in Monday morning to treat roads.

Check back for updates to this developing story.