Snow-covered roads and a crash on the Maine Turnpike caused delays during the morning commute Tuesday, while freezing rain moved in to complicate travel in the afternoon.
The crash was reported around 7:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes near mile 29 between the Biddeford and Kennebunk exits, according to the Maine Turnpike Authority. Maine State Police on scene said the left lane was closed while the crash was cleared. All lanes reopened by 8:30 a.m.
The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph for the entire length of the turnpike of slippery roads.
Another crash in Scarborough involved three vehicles at about noontime and closed a section of Gorham Road, also known as Rt. 114, between Mussey Road and Maple Avenue, a dispatcher said. The road was reopened at about 1:30.
Three people were injured in that incident and transported to the hospital. No further information was available on the extent of their injuries, but a dispatcher said slippery conditions were a likely factor in the crash.
Snow moved into the area overnight and was expected to amount to several inches before a switch to rain. There will be snow again on Wednesday, but that storm is expected to bring lesser amounts of precipitation in southern and coastal area, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for most of the state.
The weather service reported 1.5 inches of snow n Gray and 1.3 inches of snow in Portland at 8 a.m.
Many school districts in York and Cumberland counties delayed the start of school by two hours Tuesday morning. A complete list of delays and closing is available here.
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