Utica, NY – Drivers across Oneida County are facing major delays today after a significant stretch of State Route 12 was closed due to worsening snow-covered and slippery road conditions.
According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Robert Maciol reported that State Route 12 between New Hartford and Waterville is currently shut down. Deputies said several vehicles became disabled along the roadway as fresh snowfall created slick, travel-hazard conditions Wednesday morning.
The closure affects one of the county’s most heavily traveled north–south corridors, connecting communities throughout Oneida County and the greater Utica metro area. According to the sheriff’s office, emergency crews responded to multiple disabled vehicles shortly before the announcement, prompting the full roadway closure for safety.
As snowfall continues across Central New York, deputies are urging drivers to avoid the area entirely until conditions improve and the roadway can be cleared. No timeline has been provided for when the highway will reopen.
The National Weather Service has warned that additional light-to-moderate snow may continue through the afternoon, potentially adding to already slick surfaces. Temperatures in the region have hovered near freezing, creating conditions favorable for black ice and limited visibility at times.
Local officials said plow crews are working throughout Oneida County, but fast-changing conditions are making travel difficult. Drivers who must be on the road are advised to reduce speed, allow extra braking distance, and use caution on bridges and ramps, which tend to freeze first.
Residents in New Hartford, Paris, Clayville, Waterville, and surrounding areas may experience travel delays and should plan alternate routes until Route 12 reopens.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available from the sheriff’s office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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