Harrisburg, PA. — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will implement vehicle restrictions on major highways statewide beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday as a winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall across the commonwealth.
Snow is forecast to move in overnight Saturday into Sunday, with potential snowfall rates between three-quarters of an inch and 1½ inches per hour, according to PennDOT. Officials are urging motorists to monitor weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel and use caution if they must be on the road.
Under Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan, restrictions will take effect at 3 p.m. Sunday on the following roadways:
— Interstate 76, entire length.
— Interstate 78, entire length.
— Interstate 80 from Interstate 81 to New Jersey.
— Interstate 81, entire length.
— Interstate 83, entire length.
— Interstate 84, entire length.
— Interstate 95, entire length.
— Interstate 283, entire length.
— Interstate 295, entire length.
— Interstate 380, entire length.
— Interstate 476, entire length.
— Interstate 676, entire length.
— Route 33, entire length.
— U.S. Route 22 from Interstate 78 to New Jersey.
— Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) from Carlisle (Exit 226) to Interstate 276.
— Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 276), entire length.
— Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (Interstate 476), entire length.
Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are prohibited on affected roadways: tractors without trailers; tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed, open or tank trailers; tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers; unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle; passenger vehicles towing trailers; recreational vehicles and motorhomes; school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches; and motorcycles.
Speed limits may be reduced to 45 mph on impacted highways while restrictions are in place. Commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must remain in the right lane. Additional speed reductions could be added on other interstates depending on conditions.
Officials said restrictions will be communicated through variable message boards and the 511PA traveler information system and may be adjusted based on roadway conditions and reports from law enforcement, first responders and PennDOT personnel. Restrictions will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.
PennDOT advises drivers who encounter snow squalls or blowing and drifting snow to slow down gradually, turn on headlights — and hazard lights if caught in a snow squall — increase following distance and avoid distracted driving. Motorists should not stop in the flow of traffic during whiteout conditions and should only pull off the roadway when it can be done safely.
Preliminary data from last winter show 8,329 crashes on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roads in Pennsylvania, resulting in 29 fatalities and 2,959 injuries. Eleven of those killed were not wearing seat belts, and 17 fatalities occurred in crashes where a driver was traveling too fast for conditions and left their lane.
Drivers can check the latest road conditions and restrictions at 511PA.com or through the 511PA smartphone app. The free service provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, speed information and access to traffic cameras across more than 40,000 roadway miles.
Additional winter driving safety information and an emergency kit checklist are available on PennDOT’s website.