Montgomery County

Slippery Road Conditions Lead to Car Crashes, Speed Restrictions Throughout Area

Montgomery County Dispatch and Pennsylvania State Police responded to at least ten accidents Saturday morning.

Slippery road conditions caused by a combination of light snow and bitter cold temperatures led to several multi-vehicle accidents and speed restrictions throughout the region.

Officials responded to at least 15 accidents Saturday morning.

A crash involving eight passenger cars and three commercial vehicles occurred in the eastbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Morgantown and Downingtown. Eastbound lanes were shut down at the location. Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

Earlier Saturday, an accident involving multiple vehicles occurred on I-76 westbound in Gulph Mills, Montgomery County between Exit 331A - I-476 South and Exit 330 - PA 320.

Another multi-vehicle crash on I-76 westbound in Conshohocken, Montgomery County closed all lanes between Exit 337 - Gladwyne and Exit 332 - PA 23. The crash left drivers stuck for hours. 

"I've been sitting here since like, about 9:10," one driver said. "Not moving at all. Maybe a little bit at a time. It's ridiculous."

The driver told NBC10 he witnessed the pileup ahead of him.

"These two tow trucks came in the middle," he said. "Two flatbeds just like about an hour and twenty minutes ago and they still ain't moved nothing."

Snow Falls Throughout the Region

Other accidents occurred on I-76 at the Mill Creek Road underpass in Lower Merion, the South Gulph Road underpass in Upper Merion and the Weadley Road overpass in Upper Merion. State Police say at least three of the nine reported accidents involved more than eight cars while the other crashes involved three to four vehicles.

Officials say at least ten people were hurt in the accidents though none of the injuries appear to be life-threatening. All of the crash scenes on I-76 were cleared shortly before noon.

Rosemary Connors talks with Bob Kent from PennDot to talk about the multiple crashes along I-76. The cold temperatures are causing snow to stick to roads.

The following speed restrictions were put in place on major bridges and roadways in our area as a result of the slippery conditions:

Walt Whitman Bridge: The speed limit is lowered to 25 mph in both directions between the New Jersey side in Gloucester City and the Pennsylvania side in Philadelphia.

Commodore Barry Bridge: The speed limit is lowered to 25 mph in both directions between the New Jersey side and the Pennsylvania side in Logan Township.

Ben Franklin Bridge: The speed limit is lowered to 25 mph in both directions between the New Jersey side in Camden and the Pennsylvania side in Philadelphia.

Garden State Parkway: The speed limit is lowered to 45 mph in both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to Exit 63A-NJ 72 West in Stafford Township.

New Jersey Turnpike: The speed limit is lowered to 45 mph in both directions from Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville Township to north of Interchange 4 - NJ 73 in Mount Laurel.

Light snow began falling in the area Saturday morning. While only a coating to three inches fell, cold conditions caused the snow to accumulate quickly. This led to slippery and dangerous conditions on untreated roadways as the snow compacted and turned into ice. Salt and chemical solutions were also less effective on roads due to the cold conditions.

If you don't have to drive today then stay inside until the afternoon when conditions clear. If you have to drive, use caution.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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