Snow and ice impacting travel, schools in both Dakotas

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s Transportation Department and Highway Patrol have lifted no travel advisories for the north central and northwestern parts of the state, but they’re still urging motorists to be cautious due to icy conditions.

In South Dakota, black ice on Interstate 29 in the Beresford area has caused numerous vehicles to slide in the ditch. One semitrailer crash blocked the northbound lanes and forced the rerouting of traffic.

The National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories for a large portion of the Dakotas early Wednesday, for snow and accumulating ice. Several schools in the two states opened late.

Interstate 94 between Dickinson and New Salem in southwestern North Dakota was closed to traffic for about 1 1/2 hours before being reopened around sunrise.