PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission say they will restrict commercial vehicle traffic on all Pennsylvania interstates and several major highways starting early Sunday, as a powerful winter storm brings heavy snow and dangerously cold temperatures to the region.
The restrictions are set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, January 25, under Tier 4 of the state’s weather event vehicle restriction plan. Officials say the move is intended to reduce crashes and keep plows and emergency crews moving as conditions deteriorate.
Heavy snow is expected to begin Saturday night and intensify on Sunday, with snowfall rates reaching one to two inches per hour by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing statewide through much of the coming week.
Under Tier 4 restrictions, no commercial vehicles are permitted on affected roadways. The ban also applies to school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs and motorhomes, as well as passenger vehicles towing trailers.
All vehicles traveling on restricted roadways will be limited to 45 miles per hour, and commercial vehicles still permitted to travel must remain in the right lane. Additional restrictions could be added depending on weather and road conditions.
Affected roadways include all Pennsylvania interstates, the entire PA Turnpike system, and several high-traffic state and U.S. routes, including portions of U.S. 15, U.S. 22, U.S. 219, U.S. 220, U.S. 322, Route 28 and Route 33.
PennDOT says the restrictions will be communicated through variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information system, and the 511PA smartphone app, and will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.
Transportation officials are urging drivers to delay or avoid unnecessary travel, but say anyone who must be on the road should slow down, increase following distance, use headlights and avoid distracted driving. Drivers are also advised to keep an emergency kit in their vehicle and pull completely off the roadway if visibility drops to near zero.
State data from last winter underscores the risk: preliminary figures show more than 8,300 crashes, 29 fatalities, and nearly 3,000 injuries on snowy or icy roads. Many of the deadly crashes involved drivers traveling too fast for conditions or failing to wear seat belts.
Drivers can find the latest information on road conditions, vehicle restrictions and weather impacts at 511PA.com or through the 511PA app, which provides real-time updates, traffic cameras and color-coded winter road conditions. Updates will also be available on PennDOT and PA Turnpike social media channels.
For winter driving safety tips and PennDOT’s emergency kit checklist, visit PennDOT.pa.gov/winter.
Image Credit: PennDOT