As a winter storm brought ice, snow and rain to New England, crashes were reported across the region during morning commuting hours on Thursday, and more travel problems are expected into the night as dropping temperatures cause icing on the roads.
Due to the storm, a 40 mph speed restriction was put into place on the Massachusetts Turnpike from the New York border to Boston for many of the morning hours. The speed restriction was lifted from the New York border to Palmer at around 11:45 a.m., but remained in place on the rest of the highway to Boston.
4PM Update: I-90 EB/WB 40 speed restriction remains in place from MM 63 #Palmer – #Boston. #MassDOT has approx. 840 pieces of equipment deployed in snow and ice response. All Highway districts are patrolling, treating, and/or plowing. Go slow and use caution on the roadways.
The state’s department of transportation said that it had around 840 pieces of equipment deployed to deal with the ice storm as of around 4 p.m.
By Thursday afternoon roads were icy in the Worcester Hills, with more freezing rain expected later.
NOW: Some very tough streets in the Worcester hills tonight. Some haven’t been plowed and are covered with ice. Freezing rain is projected to start in the next few hours… which could make this more dangerous. @NBC10Boston pic.twitter.com/2Q3uUryfY1
There were already a number of crashes being reported before 5 a.m. on major highways in communities like Milton, Randolph and Dedham.
Update to weather/roadway conditions. At 6:15am snow is falling here in Revere where this spinout at Copeland Circle is causing some delays, while just plain rain was observed on Albany street in #Boston at 6am. 📸@pictureboston pic.twitter.com/4ZM0OFLKRM
At around 6:15 a.m., a spinout crash was causing delays on Copeland Circle in Revere, Massachusetts.
By around 6:30 a.m., there were several more crashes being reported, including on I-495 South in Haverhill, 213 West in Methuen, Route 1 North in Saugus and at least two crashes on the Mass. Pike — one in Westboro and one in Millbury.
MassDOT said just after 7 a.m. that a jackknifed tractor-trailer in Chelmsford on I-495 South caused the center and left lanes to be closed near Exit 87. Both lanes have since reopened.
Since 11pm last night, #NHSP has responded to approximately 30 vehicles off the road & crashes throughout the state.🚔
Reduce your speed, leave extra space between you & the vehicle you're following & drive for the current conditions.
📸- Everett Turnpike SB near exit 6 pic.twitter.com/RoyD4H8yN8
Massachusetts troopers were on scene of a crash on the Mass. Pike in Wayland around 8:30 a.m., where an SUV was seen with frontal damage and on the side of the road.
Troopers on scene of a crash I-90 WB 118mm. Roads across the state are in poor condition. Please pay attention and drive accordingly. Don’t put yourself or others in danger attempting to speed to your destination and leave extra space between you the car in front of you. pic.twitter.com/cQLBFey7AT
In New Hampshire, state police said at around 6 a.m. that they had responded to around 30 vehicles off the road and crashes since 11 p.m. Wednesday night. Authorities there urged drivers to reduce their speed, leave extra space between the car ahead of them and drive according to current conditions.
Rescue 1 at this oil truck rolled over on Eli Whitney Street this morning. Driver was freed by firefighters and declined transport with minor injuries. Roadway closed to offload and upright the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/CVK5X0n7Nb
In Westborough, an oil truck rolled over on Eli Whitney Street. The driver refused to be transported. Roadways were closed to offload the oil and upright the truck.
Multiple vehicle accident, involving Two school buses, on Rt.3 between exit 88 and 90, Northbound. Minor injuries reported, however no children on buses injured. Emergency personnel on scene, avoid Rt. 3 Northbound, significant delays.
Two school buses were involved in a multiple vehicle accident on Rt. 3 in Tyngsborough. No children on the buses were injured in the accident. Significant delays northbound on Rt. 3.
Good Morning Boston! It's quite slick out there this morning. So use care when on platforms and when boarding trains. We at the Passenger Information Center is ready to assist you today. Let's Go! ^MB
The MBTA Commuter Rail warned passengers to use care on platforms while boarding trains Thursday, because of the ice.