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.