The M1 was closed for more than four hours following a major collision between junction 36 and 37.
Traffic from both the north and south was being directed through Barnsley, causing major delays around the borough on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency services including the air ambulance attended. Police have yet to announce details of any injuries.
Workers had to replace a stretch of crash barrier between the carriageways before the motorway could reopen. It opened just before 5.30pm.
