WINTER WEATHER UPDATES: Traffic resumes on Interstate 70 east of Columbia after wreck
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
LINK: Closings and Delays
6:11 p.m.
Traffic cleared up on eastbound Interstate 70 around 6:08 p.m.
Missouri State Highway Patrol has not updated what caused the wreck near mile marker 134 since it occurred.
5:50 p.m.
A crash on eastbound Interstate 70 past the Range Line Street and Route Z exits has closed the passing lane.
The Missouri Department of Transportation said at about 5:30 p.m. that the closure could last an hour. A traffic camera nearby showed a long line of slow-moving traffic west of the crash site, which is at mile marker 134.
2:05 p.m.
Parking restrictions on primary routes in Columbia have been lifted.
The Public Works Department said on Twitter just before 2 p.m. Friday that parking on those roads can resume as normal. Parking is restricted on those routes when snow exceeds 2 inches, making vehicles subject to ticketing and towing.
Columbia Public Works' snow clearing street map showed crews have made passes on most priority routes, but that roads were still not deemed to be easily passable by a two-wheel drive vehicle as of mid-afternoon. A public works spokesman told ABC 17 News that clearing operations on priority, secondary and other streets will continue throughout the day, and some roads will remain slick.
The Missouri Department of Transportation's map showed state highways were clear through most of Mid-Missouri as of mid-afternoon. Temperatures in Columbia had reached the freezing mark with periods of sunshine.
'12:20 p.m.
The Missouri Department of Transportation's map shows significant clearing on Mid-Missouri's state highways as temperatures rise and the sun pokes out in some areas.
Stretches of Highway 63 and Interstate 70 retain some snow cover but are listed by the agency as mostly clear. That's also the case with Highway 24 and Highway 54 in the eastern and southern reaches of Mid-Missouri. Some stretches of major highways through the area are designated clear.
Snow piled up on roads early Friday, causing several crashes and slide-offs. However, those incidents slowed down later in the morning and into the afternoon.
Temperatures hovered around 30 degrees at noon, allowing road treatments to assist in melting the snow.
10 a.m.
Authorities warned of a crash slowing traffic on Interstate 70 eastbound near the Midway/Highway 40 exit in Boone County.
A Missouri Department of Transportation traffic camera showed tractor-trailers pulled over on the roadside. Traffic continued to flow in the passing lane and the scene appeared to be nearly cleared at 10 a.m. The agency's traffic map showed roads at least partially covered around Mid-Missouri.
Jefferson City police said a little before 10 a.m. that a crash on Highway 54 near Cassidy Lane was causing delays.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop F says it has responded to 61 calls since midnight, including 24 stranded drivers, 30 non-injury crashes and two injury crashes.
8:55 a.m.
Traffic has started to again flow in the eastbound lanes approaching the bridge.
8:50 a.m.
Traffic was backed up at the Missouri River Bridge between Boone and Cooper counties after a crash.
The Missouri Department of Transportation warned the eastbound lanes in Cooper County were closed because of the crash. The closure could last an hour, the agency said.
8:25 a.m.
Snowfall totals vary widely across Central Missouri as a winter storm that dropped two waves of snow wraps up.
The area's highest official total as of Friday morning was 9.7 inches in Sedalia. Other totals include 4.9 inches at Ashland, 7.6 inches in Boonville, 3.3 inches in Kingdom City and 2.5 inches in Camdenton.
8:30 a.m. live weather update
An official total was not yet available for Columbia.
The snow prompted schools around the area to cancel classes and has caused several crashes, including tractor-trailers jackknifing on Interstate 70.
7:45 a.m.
A new Columbia Public Works team is starting to treat and plow first and second-priority routes.
City leaders reported the 28-person team reported in for their shift at 7 a.m. The crew replaces a 23-person overnight plow team. Crews plan to keep first and second-priority routes across Columbia in a passable condition on Friday.
A 28-person City of Columbia Public Works crew will be reporting for duty at 7 a.m. on Friday, March 11 to respond to an ongoing winter weather event. They will be relieving the 23-person overnight crew.
— Columbia Public Works (@pub_works) March 11, 2022
The city's bus system, Go COMO, will also operate on an alternating schedule. That's similar to the routes city buses use for Saturdays.
Customers can download the Go COMO app to find the location of buses in real time.
7 a.m.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is reporting possible delays on westbound Interstate 70 in Columbia.
An ABC 17 News crew near the 129 mile-marker saw a semi-truck on its side. More details about the crash weren't immediately available.
The MoDOT Traveler Information Map website showed poor road conditions across Mid-Missouri.
Boone County Joint Communications has asked drivers to avoid traveling on Friday morning if possible.
6:35 a.m.
Columbia will enforce no parking on snow routes.
The Columbia Public Works Department asked drivers on Friday morning to move their vehicles from designated snow routes. Columbia enforces a no-parking ordinance after the city receives more than two inches of snow.
Please move your vehicles from snow routes at this time. Whenever snow accumulates to more than 2 inches, any vehicle parked on a designated snow route must be removed. This critical ordinance allows plow drivers the space needed to do their work safely and more efficiently. pic.twitter.com/oJnjx0zo50
— Columbia Public Works (@pub_works) March 11, 2022
Drivers that don't move their vehicle face possible fines and towing fees. Boone County Joint Communications reported poor road conditions across the area.
Joint communications asked drivers to avoid travel until plow trucks can clear the roads.
5:35 a.m.
The Jefferson City School District has canceled classes for Friday.
Poor road conditions due to the winter weather have made travel unsafe, according to a Twitter post from the school district.
Due to winter weather and unsafe travel conditions, JC Schools will be CLOSED FRI 3/11. Have a wonderful weekend!! pic.twitter.com/E2x69Yd5Jr
— JC Schools (@JCSchools_) March 11, 2022
JC Schools joins dozens of other Mid-Missouri school districts to call off classes for Friday.
5:25 a.m.
Boone County Joint Communications warned drivers to avoid parts of Highway UU west of Columbia.
Poor road conditions have closed the road to traffic, according to a BCJC alert sent just before 5:10 a.m. The Missouri Department of Transportation asked drivers to avoid travel if possible.
Roads are less than ideal this morning, especially along and north of U.S. Route 54, including I-70. If you must travel, do so with caution. Stay updated on the weather, and periodically check the Traveler Information Map at https://t.co/Ss8XerwFpn.#mowx #midmowx #BUPD pic.twitter.com/MOmAXKIBqT
— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) March 11, 2022
LINK: Forecast
Original story:
Interstate 70 in Columbia is back open to drivers Friday morning.
Boone County Joint Communications sent an overnight alert about traffic at a standstill near the Stadium Boulevard exit after a crash. Emergency crews diverted westbound traffic for several hours.
Traffic is at a stand still on westbound I-70 at the 124 mile marker in Boone County. Please avoid the area and find an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/RKdF9S5Lbw
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) March 11, 2022
The MoDOT Traveler Information Map website showed poor road conditions on parts of I-70, Highway 63, Highway 54, and other roads across Mid-Missouri. Boone County Joint Communications warned drivers may find vehicles parked along the interstate, Clark Lane, and other area roads.
Drivers are also asked to avoid parts of Gillespie Bridge Road. ABC 17 News is told plow trucks cannot access the area.
