Dan Stamm

Route 309 in Montgomery Co. Reopens After 20-Car Crash

There appeared to be some ice on the overpass where the crash occurred.

At least 20 cars were involved in a wreck that closed busy Route 309 in Montgomery County for several hours Thursday morning. There appeared to be some ice on the roadway.

The cars, many with the lights still on, backed up above the Susquehanna Road overpass of both the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 309 in Upper Dublin Township. The initial crash happened around 5 a.m., Montgomery County dispatchers said.

Authorities say a spin-out crash occurred on the southbound side of the highway, followed soon after by a multivehicle collision in the northbound lanes. Other accidents were also reported, and authorities say at least 20 vehicles overall were involved in the crashes.

At least six people were transported from the scene, dispatchers said. The extent of injuries isn’t clear and no fatalities were reported.

It’s possible that there was some ice on the highway as police appeared to be slipping while investigating the crash. A mix of light snow, rain and freezing rain fell in the area overnight, causing what officials called a "flash freeze." Salt trucks were brought in to treat the roadway.

Though both the southbound and northbound lanes reopened a little after 8 a.m., traffic was backed up for a long distance in both directions.

Drivers used alternate routes like Limekiln and Bethlehem pikes during the closure. The Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was also used for drivers going a longer distance.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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