Live updates: Major roads clearing up after icy conditions caused crashes in Lexington

An overnight snow storm created multiple slick spots and traffic hazards for travelers Friday morning.

The Lexington Traffic Management Center said police were working numerous collisions due to slick spots on the road. Multiple bridges and roads in northern Lexington are covered in black ice, according to the traffic management center.

Fayette County Public Schools announced all schools in the district are closed Friday due to icy road conditions.

Traffic had heavily reduced by Friday afternoon as roads were more thoroughly treated.

Here are the latest updates on the weather situation in Lexington.

Transportation Cabinet warns about dropping temperatures

1:30 p.m. — As temperatures are expected to drop back below freezing Friday evening, the Central Kentucky district of the transportation cabinet warned people about potentially hazardous driving conditions Saturday morning.

The transportation cabinet said black ice can form on previously treated asphalt and concrete surfaces, especially on bridges, overpasses and ramps.

Ice buildup on trees could also cause limbs to fall onto roads.

“Crews will be checking for this and will make use of chainsaws for trimming and removing brush as necessary,” the transportation cabinet said in a press release.

Main roads in Lexington appear to be clearing up

11:30 a.m. — Most of the main roads into Lexington appear to be clearing up after dozens of collisions and traffic early Friday morning, according to the transportation cabinet’s live traffic map.

There is still some congestion on Leestown Road closer to the Fayette-Scott County line, according to the traffic map. I-75 southbound close to the split between I-64 also has some traffic, according to the map.

Truck slides off New Circle Road exit

10 a.m. - A truck slid off the exit ramp from New Circle Road onto Versailles Road Friday morning, causing the ramp to be partially blocked, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The transportation cabinet said that an earlier incident involving an overturned tractor-trailer at Exit 113 on I-75 has been cleared. Police are reopening previously closed lanes in that area.

Temperatures expected to be warmer this weekend

9:20 a.m. - Following snow and ice on the roads Friday morning, the National Weather Service expects warmer weather in the Central Kentucky region soon. High temperatures are supposed to be in the high 40s to low 50s Friday an Saturday, with temperatures potentially reaching 50 degrees again Sunday. Scattered showers are expected Sunday.

Traffic backups reported on major roads into Fayette County

8:30 a.m. - Traffic maps from the state transportation cabinet indicated major traffic backups on Leestown, Georgetown and Russell Cave roads, as well as Newtown Pike. There were also backups at the split between I-64 and I-75.

Lexington’s roads inside New Circle Road appeared to be much clearer.

Emergency Weather Plan for homeless population activated

7 a.m. — Lexington’s Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention has activated its Emergency Winter Weather Plan for Friday

The plan features expanded shelter services and free transportation to shelters for the homeless population. If anyone is in need of a shelter, call the Lexington Police Department’s non-emergency number at (859) 258-3600.

Lexington police called to dozens of accidents

7 a.m. — Since midnight Friday, Lexington police have assisted with eight injury collisions and 34 non-injury collisions, according to Lt. Daniel Truex with the Lexington Police Department. Truex also said police have responded to 10 calls for motorist assists and five calls for traffic hazards.

None of the injury collisions featured serious injuries, Truex said.

There are two intersections closed in Lexington, one at Georgetown Road and Iron Works Pike and the other at Old Paris Pike and Strawberry Fields, according to Truex. Truex suggested the former was the more significant closure due to more traffic in the area.

It’s unknown how long those intersections will be closed for.

“I can tell you people should just not drive this morning,” Truex said.

Lexington police said to visit the city’s website for the latest updates on the weather situation in Lexington.

Fayette County under wind advisory

6:30 a.m. — Fayette County and other parts of central and western Kentucky are under a wind advisory for most of Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The advisory begins at noon and will expire no earlier than 7 p.m. The NWS said winds are expected to be between 15 and 20 miles per hour and could gust up to 40 miles per hour.

Tree limbs could fall over and power outages could happen as a result of the wind gusts, according to the NWS.

Multiple roads in Lexington are slick, causing hazards

6:15 a.m. — The traffic management center advises travelers to plan for a longer commute Friday as there are multiple slick spots on the road across Lexington.

Multiple bridges on the northern side of town are frozen and various roads are very slick, the traffic management center said. Police are working numerous wrecks across the county.

Fayette County, other school districts closed due to weather

6 a.m. — Fayette County Public Schools will not have class today due to icy road conditions, the school district announced Friday morning.

Franklin County and Scott County Public Schools announced they both won’t have in-person class today due to weather. Both school districts will utilize an NTI Day.