Live updates: Slow going after snowfall. Police responded to nearly 250 road incidents
Lexington received nearly 10 inches of snow on Thursday, which caused a large mess on all of the city’s roads for most of the day.
Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Thursday to help assist with the cleanup after the snowstorm severely impacted travel throughout the state.
Fayette County Public Schools, The University of Kentucky and all state offices are closed Friday.
Here’s the latest of what we know.
Transportation Cabinet warns of icy roads overnight
10 p.m. — Drivers should be prepared for icy conditions and black ice overnight, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7, which covers Central Kentucky, said in an update.
“The traveling public should expect hazardous driving conditions overnight, as many areas that have been cleared by crews will refreeze,” the cabinet said.
“It is best to remain at home if at all possible. If you must travel, remember to reduce your speed and leave a large amount of space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.”
The cabinet said crews will continue working to keep roads clear overnight and into Saturday.
Southbound I-75 near Clays Ferry Bridge still causing problems
6:13 p.m. — Traffic is still moving slowly on Interstate 75 South between mile marker 102, which is south of the Athens Boonesboro exit, and the Clays Ferry Bridge according to the Lexwrecks twitter account, which is operated by the Lexington Traffic Management Center.
The biggest slowdown is near mile marker 99, which is just before the bridge.
“Additional snow plows and salt have been requested due to the amount of ice on the roadway,” the tweet stated.
National Weather Service: Rain is on the way
The National Weather Service in Louisville said rain will move into the area Saturday night and into Sunday morning. One to 1.5 inches of rainfall is possible, and that, combined with melting snow, could cause some minor flooding and ponding, particularly in Central and Southern Kentucky.
Highs this weekend will be in the 40s, with temperatures possibly hitting 50 on Sunday, the weather service said.
Lexington road conditions improving
4:19 p.m. — The city of Lexington said it has been working on primary roads throughout day Friday, and while low temperatures have hampered efforts, the city said in a news release that many roads have been plowed “down to bare pavement.”
The city said crews will continue working throughout the night “until all ranked roads have been treated,” and they expect to begin clearing neighborhood streets Saturday.
Motorists were urged to remain aware of black ice that could form on treated roads after dark.
Between 5 a.m. and about 4 p.m., Lexington police responded to three injury collisions, eight non-injury collisions, three motorist assists and 17 traffic hazards.
The city said the Dunbar Community Center will be closed Saturday, and Saturday’s Charlotte Court Youth Basketball League games are canceled.
Raven Run will also be closed Saturday, and the Owl Prowl planned for Saturday night is canceled.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said Ky. 57 between North Middletown in Bourbon County and Winchester has reopened as of about 4 p.m.
I-75 in Grant County closed
2:48 p.m. — All northbound lanes of I-75 at mile-marker 154 in Grant County has been shut down due to an injury collision involving a tractor trailer, according to Sgt. Bernie Napier with Kentucky State Police.
The road is projected to be closed for two hours.
I-65 in Hart County shut down
2:28 p.m. — A section of I-65 southbound near mile-marker 71 in Hart County is blocked because of a crash, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s real-time traffic map.
It’s the third current road closure in Kentucky along with Thatchers Mill Road near mile-marker 10 in Bourbon County and the Western KY Parkway near mile-marker 87 in Ohio County.
Transportation Cabinet provides update on local road closures
1:36 p.m. — Police have been able to resolve two of the three accidents leading to road closures in the area Friday, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The only road closure remaining in KYTC’s seventh district is in Bourbon and Clark Counties on KY 57 between North Middletown and Winchester.
Multiple roads in Lexington and surrounding counties are still experiencing heavy delays due to hazardous conditions, including I-75 southbound between exit 108 and the Clays Ferry Bridge, according to the Lexington Traffic Management Center.
Updated collision numbers
12:45 p.m. — Lexington police have released updated numbers on the number of accidents caused by slick road conditions from Thursday’s snowstorm.
On Thursday, Lexington police responded to 123 non-injury collisions, 22 injury collisions, 51 traffic hazards and 21 motor assist calls, bringing the total to 217 incidents, per police.
For Friday, police said they responded to two injury collisions, one non-injury collision, eight motorist assists and two escorts by 12:45 p.m.
Police have responded to a total of 245 incidents since Thursday, according to police.
Western Kentucky Parkway closed due to wreck
12:19 p.m. — The westbound lanes of the Western Kentucky Parkway at mile-marker 87 in Ohio County have been shut down due to an overturned semi truck, according to Kentucky State Police Trooper Corey King.
The roadway is expected to be closed for two hours, per King.
Lexington police resume responding to non-injury collisions
12 p.m. — The Lexington Police Department has announced it has resumed responding to non-injury collisions.
Police temporarily suspended taking non-injury collision reports Thursday afternoon so officers could respond to higher priority calls.
If you were involved in a non-injury accident prior to noon Friday, you’re encouraged to submit a collision report at this link.
State salt trucks coming to I-75 in Lexington
11:13 a.m. — As drivers continue to struggle with road conditions on I-75 southbound in Lexington, the state highway department is sending several salt trucks to the area to treat the road, according to the Lexington Traffic Management Center.
City of Lexington advises people to stay off roads
11:06 a.m. — City officials are continuing to salt and treat the roads buried by snow and ice from Thursday’s storm, and officials are encouraging motorists to stay off the road.
The city said if you must travel, slow down, increase your braking distance and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Officials are currently treating rank two roads, which are described as the major connecting streets that provide access to major office areas and business areas such as grocery stores and service stations according to the city’s snow plan.
Snowstorm pushes back Keeneland’s January Sale
10:55 a.m. — Keeneland has announced that it has delayed all operations related to its January Horses of All Ages Sale one day to Jan. 11. The sale will also end one day later than originally planned on Jan. 14.
Preview shows will be hosted on the two days prior to the sale. All sessions will begin at 10 a.m.
“Our top priority is the safety of the horses and sales participants, and the delayed start to the sale will allow for their safe arrival and give consignors adequate time to show their horses,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Our customers have been virtually unanimous in their recommendation to make this change.”
Keeneland has 1,631 horses available for the January Sale. In-foal broodmares, broodmare prospects, newly turned yearlings, horses of racing age, stallions and stallion prospects are some of the breeds available.
Road conditions in Laurel County
10:55 a.m. — Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that I-75 has one lane wet and the others are covered in ice or snow.
Hal Rogers Parkway is also wet and slick in spots, per Root. All the secondary and county roads are covered in ice, snow and slush, and motorists are encouraged to exercise caution on the roads if they have to travel.
I-75 in Whitley County reopened
9:55 a.m. — The accident causing congestion on I-75 in Whitley County has been cleared and the road is back open, according to Kentucky State Police.
NWS releases snow accumulation map
9:41 a.m. — The National Weather Service has released an interactive map showing the snowfall accumulation in Kentucky and across the nation from Thursday’s snowstorm.
Western Lexington reported the highest amount of snowfall in the state at 9.9 inches, the seventh snowiest day in the city’s history and the most snow fallen in one day since 1947. Harrodsburg was the only other city to report at least nine inches of snow.
Transportation Cabinet provides update on road closures
9:19 a.m. — According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7, there are two accidents across Bourbon and Clark Counties resulting in road closures.
One is on US 460 in Bourbon County between Paris and North Middletown. KYTC said approximately 12 or more semi trucks are waiting in line as they are not allowed to travel around the area where the incidents occurred.
The other accident is on KY 57 between North Middletown and Winchester.
The accident on I-75 near mile-marker 134 in Scott County involved multiple jackknifed semi trucks has since been cleared and the road is reopened.
Traffic moving very slowly
8:40 a.m. — There are many reports of slow-moving roads across the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s seventh district, even as most major roads have reopened.
KYTC District 7 workers treated the roads overnight in preparation for hazardous conditions Friday. Nonetheless, traffic is very congested, including a section of I-75 southbound near the Clays Ferry Bridge and mile marker 100, according to dispatch.
I-75 northbound in Scott County shut down
8:08 a.m. — All three northbound lanes of I-75 at the 134 mile-marker in Scott County have been closed due to a crash involved two jackknifed semi trucks, according to the Lexington Traffic Management Center.
Snowfall ranks among the top all-time
6:30 a.m. — Lexington received 9.9 inches of snowfall on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. That figure breaks the previous Jan. 6 record - 9.5 inches of snowfall in 1910 - and ranks No. 7 all-time in most snow ever received in Lexington.
Roadways back open
6:19 a.m. — All of the roads in Kentucky are back open except for I-75 in Whitley County, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
Most of the major roadways in Kentucky experienced many collisions during a snowstorm Thursday, which resulted in multiple closures. I-75 in Lexington was shut down for roughly three hours while police tended to many accidents.
Traffic on some parts of I-75 is slow moving due to icy conditions.
Lexington crews at work
6 a.m. — All hands are on deck to make sure roads in Lexington are as safe as they can be to drive on for Friday.
According to the Lexington Traffic Management Center, city crews worked overnight treating all rank one and roughly half of the rank two roads in accordance with Lexington’s snow plan.
Rank one roads are described as the primary arteries in and out of the city, such as Main Street, Nicholasville Road and Richmond Road, says the city’s snow plan. Rank two roads are described as the major connecting streets that provide access to major office areas and business areas such as grocery stores and service stations.
Waste management, sanitary sewer, environmental services, code enforcement, sewer treatment and parks employees also assisted with snow removal.
Approximately 600 tons of salt was used during Thursday’s day shift to combat slick conditions, per LTMC, and workers will continue to work 12-hour shifts until all ranked roads have been treated.
NWS gives warning for black ice, cold temperatures
5:25 a.m. — National Weather Service is advising drivers in Lexington and many surrounding counties to be careful driving Friday and to layer up if you plan on going outside.
Cold arctic air and winds could produce wind chill temperatures at or below zero degrees Fahrenheit Friday morning. NWS said, “be sure to dress in extra layers and try to limit any skin exposure and time outdoors.”
NWS also said drivers can expect lingering slick spots and hazardous conditions on the roads. Gov. Andy Beshear has urged people to stay off the roads unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Click here to read all the updates from yesterday’s storm.
This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 7:15 AM.
