Authorities this morning reported the U.S.-131 freeway was like a sheet of black ice and there many slide offs and vehicle crashes as a result.

Traffic backups caused some motorists to put their cars in parking mode both north and south of Wayland.

Southbound US-131 at 116th Avenue, M-222, was closed near Martin because of a crash. Drivers were advised to avoid the area and seek an alternative route. Other accidents were reported along both directions of US-131 between Martin and Plainwell.

Allegan County Sheriff’s dispatchers also said a semi-truck jackknifed on northbound US-131 near 142nd Avenue in Dorr Township at about 3:30 a.m. The Dorr Township Fire Department indicated there were no reports of injuries in the multi-vehicle accident.

Northbound lanes of the expressway from 142nd Avenue were closed for nearly an hour. One lane was blocked for about two hours for crews to clear the scene.

A number of area motorists reported getting caught in the traffic backups and having to delay getting to work. Conditions were expected to improve as the day continued.