Northallerton, Richmond, Bedale and surrounding villages were gridlocked last Friday when thousands of motorists were diverted after two fatal accidents.
The A1 and A66 were both shut after high winds brought chaos.
The A1 was shut between Dishforth and Scotch Corner when a chemical lorry ploughed through the central reservation near Catterick and hit another lorry. The driver of the first lorry was killed instantly. Northbound traffic was diverted through Northallerton.
The A66 was shut for five hours after a minibus swerved to avoid an out-of-control lorry trailer and crashed, killing a middle-aged man. The road remained closed to high-sided vehicles for most of the afternoon.
Police praised drivers. Spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "Thousands of motorists have been inconvenienced and the majority have borne it with good humour.
"The same goes for the people of Northallerton, who have had a non-stop motorcade through the town."
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