CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago emergency officials say they've reopened the city's Lake Shore Drive after a massive blizzard left the vital thoroughfare filled with hundreds of abandoned vehicles.

Chicago police say crews worked overnight to clear snow and vehicles and emergency officials reopened the drive before dawn Thursday. Hundreds of motorists were stranded, some for as long as 12 hours, when a blizzard that began late Tuesday left more than 20 inches of snow. It was the third most severe storm in the city's history.

City officials said 900 vehicles were stranded on the roadway. An Associated Press tally counted up to 1,500 cars, buses and other vehicles.

City officials said closing the drive earlier would have resulted in disastrous traffic and possible accidents on other city streets.