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Icy roads lead to Philly-area crashes

A number of crashes, in large part due to icy roads, were reported around the Philadelphia region this morning.

One of the most serious multi-vehicle incidents occurred on Interstate 476 in Delaware County, closing northbound lanes there for about three hours while authorities responded.

The heavily-traveled commuter route was shut between Exit 9 (Route 3) at Broomall/Upper Darby and Exit 13 (U.S. 30) (St. Davids/Villanova). The crash occurred about 5:30 a.m., and the northbound lanes didn't reopen until around 8:30 a.m.

Television news footage showed a truck overturned on top of a car. Other vehicles, including a state police cruiser, also appear to have been involved in the crash.

A number of other accidents were also reported around the region this morning, and PennDOT was warning motorists to use caution due to icy conditions.

Another multi-vehicle accident was reported on U.S. Route 1 between State and Bella Vista roads in Upper Darby shortly before 8 a.m., closing all lanes in both directions there for more than two hours, PennDOT said. The lanes reopened around 10 a.m.

Other accidents were reported on U.S. Route 30 eastbound in Downington, Interstate 76 eastbound near the exit for I-476 and the westbound Schuylkill Expressway near the Girard Avenue exit, among others.

In New Jersey, state police said black ice was causing many crashes on highways, particularly in Central and North Jersey. By around 10:30 a.m., 121 incidents had been reported in state police patrol areas, with the ice as a major factor, officials said.

The speed limit on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was reduced to 35 mph due to icy conditions.

Additionally, a car crash briefly forced New Jersey Transit to suspend River Line service between Walter Rand Transportation Center and Entertainment Center.