Travel AdvisoryFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Pennsylvania Announces Travel Restrictions in Advance of Winter Storm Forecast |
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Harrisburg, PA - With snow anticipated to fall at rates of an inch per hour in northern Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) are imposing restrictions on certain trucks and other vehicles and limiting speed limits. PennDOT is urging motorists to use caution during the event and generally reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions. Based on the current forecast, restrictions will begin at 12:01 AM Monday and will remain in place until conditions warrant their removal. The restrictions reflect Level 1 and Level 2 of the commonwealth’s draft travel restriction framework, and will ban all double trailers (regardless of whether they are equipped with chains), empty trailers, non-commercial vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles and motorcycles on these interstates:
The commonwealth is also considering Level 1 and Level 2 restrictions on Interstate 80 from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey border and Interstate 476, the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, north of the Lehigh Valley exit. These additional restrictions will be implemented based on snowfall rate as well as road and travel conditions, and will be communicated via variable message boards and the 511PA traveler information website (www.511pa.com) and smartphone apps. Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these interstates for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the bans must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions. In response to the anticipated storm, PennDOT has applied anti icing materials to many roads across the state and is activating its statewide command center and regional command centers in areas most affected by the storm. 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 950 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. Drivers should also prepare their vehicles by having a trusted mechanic check the cooling system, battery, hoses, drive belts, tires, and wiper blades, as well as all fluid levels, lights, wiper blades and tires often for the correct level of air pressure and adequate tire-tread depth to perform on ice and snow. 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. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) works with county emergency management personnel to monitor unmet local needs during inclement weather affecting travel, utilities, and shelter. PEMA encourages Pennsylvanians to access Ready.pa.gov for free downloadable emergency kit checklists for the home and car. Motorists should be aware that all vehicles should be fully clear of ice and snow before winter travel. If snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury, the operator of that vehicle could receive a $200 to $1,000 fine. When winter weather occurs, PennDOT urges drivers to be extra cautious around operating snow-removal equipment. When encountering a plow truck, drivers should:
PennDOT has created a Winter Safety media center, including social-media-sized graphics highlighting winter driving preparations and operations at www.penndot.gov in the "Media Center" under the "About Us" footer. For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, visit PennDOT.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at PennDOT.gov/safety. Follow the conversation by using #PAWinter on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and visit the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation. |
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CONTACT: |
Alexis Campbell, PennDOT, alecampbel@pa.gov or 717-603-1815 |
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