Light snow that piled up on roads made for slick driving and low visibility Monday, especially in Oxford County.
Snow started falling during Monday’s morning commute, around 9 a.m. in central Maine. The snow dropped visibility to below half a mile at times, according to the National Weather Service.
The minor storm ended by 5 p.m., with accumulation of up to 3 inches, according to the NWS.
At 12:53 p.m. a second crash in the Gray area occurred at Mile 60. Not long after that in Biddeford a tractor-trailer and a vehicle were involved in a crash.
After 4 p.m. a crash at Mile 72 near Auburn blocked the left northbound lane. Motorists were being advised to be prepared to expect delays.
There were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities, according to Maine State Police.
Monday was the first time this season the speed on the entire length of the turnpike was reduced to 45 mph, said turnpike spokeswoman Eric Courtney. Turnpike trucks were plowing, salting and sanding.
“It always seems like with the first storm people haven’t adjusted to the weather yet,” Courtney said. “It seems like the first storm of the year there are lots of crashes.” People haven’t yet learned to slow down, she said.
In Lewiston, the plow trucks were called out for the first time this season.
“We thought we were going to get away with just sanding, but it’s starting to pile up out there,” Lewiston Public Works Director David Jones said just before 3 p.m.
“Trucks are going to stay away from the shoulders to try to avoid digging up grass,” Jones said, adding that the ground was not yet frozen.
There were reports of a few minor crashes in Lewiston-Auburn. “There are some slick spots out there,” Jones said.
Auburn Public Works Director Dan Goyette said his crews had been out salting. “We’re having good results,” he said. “The roads are in pretty good shape.”
As of the early afternoon, Auburn Deputy Chief Jason Moen said there had only been one accident.
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