Traffic Nightmare On Interstate 44 Following Multi-Vehicle Crash Near Rolla

Weather-related incidents Tuesday and again early this morning are being blamed for a traffic nightmare along Interstate-44 west of Rolla in Phelps County.

The department of transportation says westbound traffic was closed and traffic backed up more than 20 miles to near the St. James exit at mile marker-195 with multiple semis involved in the series of snow-related accidents.

Motorists were advised to avoid that stretch of 44 and to seek alternate routes or safe places to stay until it could be cleared.

Traffic was re-opened early this afternoon.

****More info:

Interstate 44 is closed westbound in Phelps County west of Rolla at mile marker 176 due to weather related incidents. Traffic is currently backed up more than 20 miles to near the St. James exit at mile marker 195. This queue is expected to grow.

Motorists are advised to avoid this stretch of Interstate 44. There is currently no estimate on the clearing of the incident. Westbound motorists should exit as early as possible to seek alternate routes or a safe place to wait out the closure.

U.S. Route 63 southbound can serve as an alternate. Motorists can use U.S. Route 63 southbound at Rolla to U.S. Route 60 westbound to U.S. Route 65 northbound at Springfield to return back to I-44.  Note that oversize/overweight permitted trucks should remain on their permitted route.

This is a rapidly changing traffic situation. Check the Traveler Information Map for updates https://traveler.modot.org/map/.