Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says the travel ban on state roads will be lifted at 5 p.m.

The ban went into effect at 5 a.m. Tuesday as the winter storm began to ramp up. The Democrat says limiting travel on state roads ``dramatically reduced the potential for accidents'' and provided road crews ``with much greater access to clear the roads faster.''

Malloy says he's still strongly advising residents to stay off the roads if at all possible because Department of Transportation crews are still clearing the roads and black ice continues to be a concern. Third-shift state employees are being told they should not report to work Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, power outages in Connecticut have grown to approximately 3,500, a figure that includes mostly Eversource customers.