UPDATE: I-90 reopens

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - The South Dakota Department of Transportation announced Interstate 90 is now open across the state.

Update: Though I-90 is now reopened (eastbound and westbound) as of 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, SDDOT warns that travelers should still expect to encounter difficult driving conditions. These include narrow driving lanes, ice-covered roads, and snow-covered shoulders. “Continual drifting is occurring due to the high accumulation of snow and sustained winds. Many on and off-ramps, along with the local crossroads at interchanges, remain impassable due to deep snow drifts,” reported SDDOT.

Snow removal equipment will be working to remove snow and ice in the driving lanes and on the shoulders over the next few days. SDDOT urges caution as the clean-up continues.

No Travel Advisories remain in effect for state highways in the central and southeastern areas of South Dakota where the greatest snowfall totals were received in this storm system.

Previously: Interstate 90 has been reopened from Mitchell to Sioux Falls as of 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Travelers should be aware that many on and off-ramps, along with the local crossroads at interchanges, remain impassable due to deep snow drifts. Crews continue to work to clear and open these locations.

Westbound I-90 remains closed from Sioux Falls (Marion Road/exit 395) to Mitchell. SDDOT anticipates reopening the westbound lanes by mid-day on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation warns that although the stretch is reopened, conditions are still dangerous and that drivers should use extra caution and reduce travel speed.

With continued wind gusts, drivers should expect to encounter snow and ice-covered roads that the DOT will be working to clear in the coming days. Reduced visibility from blowing snow is also a potential hazard.

The stretch from Mitchell to Sioux Falls is expected to reopen by Wednesday afternoon.

South Dakota roads are still listed as dangerous for the southern and eastern regions of the state.

According to the South Dakota Department of Transportation, winter maintenance has been suspended on part of I-90, which is under a no-travel advisory from SD-50 N. Chamberlain Exit 265 all the way through Mount Vernon Exit 319. The following enforced road closure is in effect from SD-50 North-Chamberlain Exit 265 to SD-37 South-Mitchell Exit 332.

Roads in Mitchel, Salem, Platte, Wagner, Madison, Brookings, and west of Parkston are all either closed or under a no-travel advisory.

Most of us should be done with the accumulating snowfall. We may pick up an additional inch or two in western Minnesota. With wind gusts around 30 mph still possible today, blowing snow and reduced visibility will still be a concern.

Area schools have closed for Wednesday.