Slick Roads Cause Pileup Involving Dozens of Cars in West Mich.

Winter has not yet loosened its grip on Michigan and on Saturday (3/12) dozens of drivers were reminded just how much of an impact snow and colder-than-usual temps can have on road conditions in our state.

US-131 Closes for Hours

Officials in West Michigan had to close down roughly a five-mile stretch of northbound and southbound US-131 in Allegan County after slick roads and treacherous whiteout conditions caused dozens of vehicles to slide off the road or crash. Although most of the action was in Martin Township, located roughly 25 miles north of Kalamazoo, dispatchers in Kalamazoo County reported to Mlive that traffic was backing up into that county as well.

Drivers encountered glazed roads and whiteout conditions Saturday morning causing many chain-reaction collisions. Officials had to close down northbound US-131 at roughly 11:30 am. The video below - provided to Mlive by Chris Hickmott and posted on YouTube - shows the aftermath of the situation with dozens of vehicles off the shoulders of the expressway. Some had slid into the ditch, others had been involved in collisions, and some were simply stopped waiting for accidents to clear and for officials to reopen the interstate.

US-131 Reopened Saturday Afternoon

Dozens of officials worked to clear accidents and finally around 2 pm Saturday, Michigan State Police officers were able to reopen US 131 to northbound traffic.

Snow squalls and whiteout conditions can sometimes take even experienced Michigan drivers by surprise. As many as 160 motorists in Metro Detroit were greeted with glazed roads when unexpected snow showers caused multiple accidents along I-696 just a few weeks ago.

A Look Back at What Happened to Michigan's Popular Sugar Loaf Ski Resort

The once-popular northern Michigan ski resort was finally demolished in November of 202. Before its final demise, it lay in ruins for years. Considered at one time to be one of the best ski resorts around, the lodge would see 3,000 to 4,000 skiers a day and was once the largest employer in Leelanau County. Take a look at the creepy shambles Sugar Loaf was left in for years.

Abandoned Houses in the Michigan Thumb

Check Out the Harper House, a Rare Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Michigan

The Harper House is a stunning home with an incredible view of Lake Michigan. It's believed to be one of just a few Michigan homes designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

There are conflicting accounts of the home's age online; it was either built in 1950 or 1959. If the latter is true, this would make it the last home in Michigan to be designed by Wright.

According to the listing, it features Tidewater Cypress and Chicago Common Brick, mitered glass corners, several pieces of built-in furniture, cedar-lined closets, and more. It is simply breathtaking.

The property is reputed to rarely go on the market, but it was just listed for sale by by Anne Gain of @Properties.

Filed Under: Kalamazoo