Lowell-Troopers assigned the Lowell District have been busy all morning with multiple calls for slide offs and crashes due to blowing snow and icy conditions. There have been only minor injuries reported in some of these crashes.

The majority of the crashes earlier this morning was in northern Lake County on I-80 from the Illinois State Line to I-65; as the snow shifted and fell it migrated east on I-80 between Ripley Street and State Road 249 (Portage exit) into Porter County. LaPorte County on I-94 was also impacted for a short time period.

We are experiencing traffic back-ups on I-80 from Ripley Street west into Illinois and east bound traffic from Illinois to I-65. Traffic on I-65 is backed-up on the north bound side from 61st Avenue to the ramp to I-80 west bound.

The problem stems from the ever shifting snow squalls. As the roadways are being cleared of snow and crashes in one area the snow shifts to a new area.

The majority of the crashes and slide-offs appeared to have been caused by driving too fast for conditions and driver’s who “forget” how to drive in the snow. Please remember to give yourself “plenty” of time to get to where you’re going today, back off-give yourself plenty of distance between vehicles and SLOW DOWN!!

For up to date Road and Weather Conditions, please call 1-800-261-7623, or visit INDOT’s web site at TrafficWise.IN.gov. PLEASE DO NOT CALL your local, City, County or State Police for road conditions. Leave our phone lines open for emergency calls.