• Reprints

Updated: February 2, 2011 8:48PM

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency reopened portions of several interstates Wednesday after heavy snow and stranded vehicles hampered snow-clearing efforts and forced road closures.

In the south suburbs, southbound Interstate 57 was reopened in both directions at Interstate 80 near Country Club Hills, according to an IEMA release.

Near Morris, both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 80 have been reopened, the release said. Interstate 80 was also reopened in both directions near Princeton in central Illinois.

In western Illinois. Interstate 88 was reopened in both directions between Illinois Route 40 and Interstate 80 near Davenport, Iowa.

Crews continue to remove abandoned vehicle and snow on Chicago area expressways, which still have limited lane access and icy ramps Wednesday night.

Illinois State Police spokeswoman Clare Pfotenhauer said Downtown expressways have been cleared, but snow-covered roads continue to cause limited access in the city and suburbs.

The Edens Expressway still only has one lane open and no lane markings are visible, Pfotenhauer said. Troopers are reporting icy conditions on the shoulder and road causing motorists difficulty maneuvering.

On the Dan Ryan Expressway the Downtown area is cleared and crews are currently working to remove vehicles from the side of the road, Pfotenhauer said. One local lane is open and two express lanes.

The Kennedy Expressway is clear with one lane open for travel, Pfotenhauer said.

On the Eisenhower Expressway, ramps are icy and still impassable, Pfotenhauer said. The eastern portion of the expressway is still being plowed and only two lanes are open.

Most of the snow has been removed the Stevenson Expressway (I-55), but north of Canal Street remains closed and motorists must exit at Chinatown.

The Illinois Tollway reports that:

“As the snowfall subsides, our Snow Operations Team continues to work around the clock clearing roadway lanes and shoulders with the goal of bare, dry pavement before temperatures drop tonight,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.

Snow is diminishing across the Tollway System, with accumulations currently ranging between 15 and 24 inches across the 12 counties the Tollway serves. Sustained winds of 30 to 35 m.p.h. with gusts of 40 m.p.h. are expected to continue through this afternoon before diminishing overnight. The Illinois Tollway advises visibility and dangerous winds will continue to produce drifting conditions and challenging travel.

From Tuesday afternoon through 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Illinois Tollway and Tollway District State Police reported 74 traffic crashes. A total of 438 motorists were assisted; there were 29 requests for service, such as fuel and tire changes; and 118 vehicles were towed.

“We remind drivers that it remains dangerous to travel due to the continuing high winds and drifting, but things are getting better,” said Lafleur. “The Illinois State Police District 15 is continuing patrols and will provide assistance as needed.”

State police urge residents not to travel unless they absolutely have to. Fewer vehicles on the roadway will allow maintenance vehicles to continue their efforts to plow the roads. Motorists involved in a drivable property damage crash should relocate to a safe location and exchange information. Reports can be made at any Illinois State Police District within seven days. If involved in a personal injury or non-drivable crash, drivers should remain in their vehicle and contact 911.

Hampered by hundreds of abandoned vehicles littering Illinois roadways, state officials have closed sections of several Interstates early Wednesday to help crews clear roads and reach stranded motorists.

“Conditions on roadways have continued to deteriorate throughout the evening,” said Joe Klinger, interim director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in a release issued early Wednesday morning. “Efforts to clear roads are being severely hampered by hundreds of vehicles that are stranded on and along the roadway. Right now we need to focus our efforts on rescuing motorists, removing vehicles and continuing road clearing operations so that interstate access can resume as soon as possible.”

Conditions had been so dire in Lake County, Ill., Kane County and Kendall County that officials closed all roads to traffic Wednesday morning.

Anyone who is stranded should run their vehicles intermittently to conserve fuel and ensure the exhaust does not become blocked by snow to prevent possible carbon monoxide poisoning, officials from various counties are reporting.