Icy roads greeted Boston area commuters Wenesday morning, leading to numerous vehicle accidents and severe delays throughout the state, officias said. One of the crashes involved more than 50 vehicles. The National Weather Service warned that cold weather will last through the morning, but temperatures will climb up into the 50s this afternoon.
As much as afoot of snowis expected on Thursday as a Nor’easter moves through the area. Portions of highways and several roads were temporarily closed during the morning commute as State Police responded to multi-vehicle crashes on Route 128, Interstate 93 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, State Police tweeted. One crash in Wakefield involved 55 vehicles, according to The Boston Globe. Gov. CharlieBaker implemented a statewide two-hour delay for non-emergency state workers in order to allow crews to respond to these accidents as well as treat the icy roads.
“We urge all drivers to exercise extreme caution as driving is very difficult due to icy conditions and to be patient as public safety officials respond to multiple incidents impacting our highways,” he said in a statement.
Boston firefighters and Emergency Medical Services responded to more than 10 separate crashes in the city itself, many which involved multiple vehicles, according to the Globe.
The Department of Transportation has been deploying crews to treat the roads throughout the morning. The department warned drivers to “Use caution,# TakeItSlow for icy conditions early this AM” on Twitter.
Boston Police SpokeswomanRachel McGuire said that they have gotten a few calls about accidents.
“We advise people to take it slow, apparently there is black ice out there,” she said. “Hopefullybusinessesand employers willunderstandif there’s a delay due to road conditions. Take it slow, no rush, that’s all we can say.”
