Multiple crashes close parts of I-75 in central Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - A series of crashes caused major backups on sections of I-75 in central Kentucky.

The little bit of snow we got Friday morning was just enough to create some icy spots, especially on the interstate.

Early Friday morning, Lexington Police were detouring drivers off of I-75 north at mile marker 108 because the roads were just too bad any further past that.

Eventually, crews did open up the northern side of the interstate, but from that point on, traffic crawled forward for hours.

Lexington police say they worked 12 injury crashes and 78 noninjury crashes between midnight and 9 a.m. Rob Allen with Streets and Roads says that’s a staggering figure, as the city averages 50 in a given day.

He says the big issue with the travel turmoil is that they were caught off guard by the conditions. If they had known this was coming, they would start pre-treating as much as three days in advance. Instead, they weren’t out on many of the major roadways until around 6 a.m.

Sections of I-75 near Georgetown also got backed up. WKYT viewer Daniel Meade took this image from a drone of the traffic situation there:

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials say that they did have crews out overnight salting these areas, but spokesperson Natasha Lacy says that doesn’t necessarily stop roads from freezing.

“When you are out traveling in these conditions, you have to be aware that there could be black ice and drive very slowly and leave a cushion between you and the vehicles around you,” Lacy said. “Previously treated roadways can still have black ice that can form. Anytime you have low temperatures and moisture and a wet surface, there can be black ice.”

Lacy says they expect conditions to get better as the day continues, with the temperature going up and the sun being able to do its thing over the course of the day. However, she did want to remind people that there still could be slick spots, even as we go throughout this day, and there is always the chance for a refreezing later on.

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