NEWS RELEASE

    March 1, 2019
Tentative Vehicle Restrictions Planned for Sunday Storm

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and PA Turnpike are advising motorists that the agencies are tentatively planning to implement varied vehicle restrictions during a storm expected to impact the state on Sunday.

The agencies continue to monitor the forecast and an update on anticipated restrictions will be issued later Saturday afternoon.

Tentatively, at 10:00 AM Sunday, a full commercial vehicle ban (including buses) may be implemented on the following roadways:

  • I-70 full length;
  • PA Turnpike (I-76) from New Stanton to Carlisle;
  • I-79 from West Virginia state line to I-90;
  • I-80 (I-376 to I-81);
  • I-99 full length;
  • I-180 full length from Route 220/U.S. 15 to I-80;
  • I-279 full length; and
  • I-376 south of I-76.

Also at 10:00 AM Sunday, the agencies may prohibit only empty, straight CDL-weighted trucks; all Large Combination Vehicles (double trailers); tractors hauling empty trailers; any trailers pulled by motorcycles, passenger vehicles, pickup trucks or SUVs; all motorcycles; and all recreational vehicles and RVs on the following roadways:

  • PA Turnpike (I-76) (Ohio state line to New Stanton);
  • I-80 (Ohio state line to I-376); and
  • I-376 (I-80 to I-76).

Tentatively at noon on Sunday, the agencies may implement a full commercial ban (including buses) on additional roadways:

  • I-78 full length from I-81 to the New Jersey state line;
  • I-80 from I-81 to the New Jersey state line;
  • I-81 from I-78 to the New York state line;
  • I-84 full length from I-81 to the New York state line;
  • I-380 full length from I-81 to I-80;
  • I-476 (PA Turnpike, Northeast Ext.) north of I-78;
  • Route 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey state line; and
  • Route 33 from I-78 to I-80.

Also at noon on Sunday, PennDOT and the PA Turnpike may prohibit only empty, straight CDL-weighted trucks; all Large Combination Vehicles (double trailers); tractors hauling empty trailers; any trailers pulled by motorcycles, passenger vehicles, pickup trucks or SUVs; all motorcycles; and all recreational vehicles and RVs on additional roadways:

  • PA Turnpike (I-76) from Carlisle to Valley Forge;
  • I-81 from the Maryland state line to I-78;
  • I-83 full length;
  • I-176; and
  • I-283.

To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 860 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

A vehicle emergency kit should be prepared or restocked containing 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.

To report an accident or other emergencies on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 on your mobile phone. If there is an accident, move the car out of travel lane and onto shoulder, if possible, and stay in the vehicle. For more information about PA Turnpike conditions follow the conversation by using https://www.paturnpike.com/travel/twitter.aspx. You may also see advisories by clicking on the travel ticker on www.PATurnpike.com.

When restrictions are effective, they can be viewed at www.511PA.com under “Weather Restrictions” or in the “Alerts” section.

PA Turnpike Restriction Plan:

PennDOT Restriction Plan:

PennDOT Restriction Plan

 

 
CONTACT:

Erin Waters-Trasatt, PennDOT
717-783-8800 (Mobile, 717-364-7787)              

Carl DeFebo, PA Turnpike
(Mobile, 717-645-2265)

 

 

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