Highway Travel Restrictions Coming To PA Along With Winter Weather

SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — With harsh winter weather predicted to impact eastern Pennsylvania, PennDOT is implementing restrictions on several highways.

PennDOT has three tiers of restrictions on highways.

>>>Winter Weather Advisory Issued Across Eastern PA<<<

Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:

• tractors without trailers;
• tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers;
• tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers;
• enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV;
• passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers;
• recreational vehicles/motorhomes;
• school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches;
• and motorcycles.

Tier 2 restrictions do not permit tractors towing loaded tandem trailers, unless there are chains or another approved Alternate Traction Device on board.

On roadways with Tier 3 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted, except loaded single trailers with chains or approved Alternate Traction Devices.

Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place on both Tier 2 and Tier 3 restricted highways.

Below are restrictions being applied to highways due to the forecast.

Beginning 1 a.m. Thursday:

Tier 1

• I-79 from PA Turnpike (I-76) to I-80;
• I-80 from I-79 to Exit 173 (Lamar); and
• I-70 from Maryland to PA Turnpike (I-76) in Fulton County.

Tier 2

• I-70 from I-79 to I-76

Tier 3

• PA Turnpike (I-76) from the New Stanton to Breezewood exits; and
• I-99, entire length.

Beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday:

Tier 1

• I-81 from the Maryland border to I-80;
• I-83, entire length; and
• I-283, entire length.

Beginning at noon Thursday:

Tier 1

• I-81 from I-380 to the New York border;
• I-84, entire length;
• I-380, entire length;
• I-476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from I-78 to I-81 Clarks Summit Exit 56-131

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike commission are urging drivers to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

Both agencies will implement various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm.

PennDOT and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission crews are pre-treating roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm.

Despite road treatment, drivers may encounter icy spots on roads.

With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form without warning, PennDOT said.

Restrictions will be posted on variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps.

Drivers should prepare or restock their emergency kits with items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel.

Motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families have, such as baby supplies, extra medication and pet supplies.

When winter weather occurs, drivers should extra cautious around operating snow-removal equipment. When encountering a plow truck, drivers should:

• Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck.
• Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much more slowly than other traffic.
• When a plow truck is traveling toward you, move as far away from the center of the road as is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snow plow width.
• Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a "plow train." The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles.
• Never travel next to a plow truck since there are blind spots where the operator can't see, and they can occasionally be moved sideways when hitting drifts or heavy snowpack.
• Keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle. Also remember that under Pennsylvania state law, vehicle lights must be on every time a vehicle's wipers are on due to inclement weather.

By law, drivers must remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof, within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles.

Not doing so can lead to $50 fines. Drivers can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian, causing death or serious injury.