Marathon, NY – A section of Interstate 81 in Cortland County has reopened to traffic after a brief closure Monday evening.
The northbound lanes were closed at approximately 6:45 p.m. at Exit 38 (US Route 11) in Marathon, according to the state Department of Transportation. They reopened about an hour later.
Lanes were closed following reported icing.
The trooper said the driver told him the ice was so thick that the vehicles were unable to move and were stuck on the road, according to reports from the Cortland County 911 Center.
Ice formed as a lake-effect blizzard arrived in the region.
The storm is expected to be intense, with strong winds and blizzard-like conditions. Snow could fall at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour, with some spots accumulating as much as 3 feet.
Local authorities warned residents to stay off the roads.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 7:00 AM Wednesday.
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