Crashes, spinouts plague Thursday morning commute

KSTP Staff KSTP

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Multiple spinouts and vehicles off the road are being reported across the Twin Cities metro area Thursday morning.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported 87 crashes — including seven that resulted in non-life-threatening injuries — as well as 34 spinouts or vehicles off roads across Minnesota between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Two jackknifed semis were also reported.

Among those include what the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) reports as “numerous crashes” on eastbound Interstate 94 near Oakdale. The agency says multiple lanes of the roadway are back open Thursday after being closed at MN 120; Century Avenue. Earlier in the morning, the stretch of roadway was completely closed, and traffic was being diverted to exit and entrance ramps. As of 8:15 a.m., one lane of traffic was open. Delays of at least 20 minutes were listed in the area.

Wednesday’s precipitation froze overnight, leaving highways slippery and ice-covered. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS meteorologist Matt Serwe reports half an inch of sleet and slush fell at MSP Wednesday.

As of 6:30 a.m., the Minnesota Department of Transportation listed some roads as partially or completely covered.

Many of the crashes were in the northeast area along I-35 and I-35 E from Forest Lake to the Little Canada area. Others were reported south of 494, near Burnsville, Apple Valley and Lakeville.

Multiple crashes caused a stretch of eastbound I-94 to close temporarily Thursday morning.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS traffic reporter Hanna Conway is tweeting about traffic conditions. You can find her latest tweets below, and a map of current traffic speeds by CLICKING HERE.

Chief Meteorologist Ken Barlow says temperatures will only get to the upper 30’s Thursday afternoon, although the sun will appear. CLICK HERE to get your full forecast.