UPDATE: I-55 is open in both directions as of about 6:30 a.m.

Multiple fatalities and more than 30 injuries requiring transport to local hospitals resulted from a series of crashes on Interstate 55 south of Springfield Monday. Illinois State Police report 20 commercial vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger vehicles were involved in crashes on I-55 that happened just before 11 a.m. near milepost 76 (between Girard and Divernon exits).

Reports indicate there was a crash in the northbound lanes, and at the same time there were numerous crashes on southbound I-55 at Milepost 76. Two semi-tractor trailers caught fire as a result.

State Police say the crash was due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility.