PA. planning to add restrictions on turnpike, highways due to weather concerns

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are planning to implement Tier 1 travel restrictions on trucks and other vehicles on select roadways in the state for Thursday, Feb. 18, beginning at 1 a.m. for the following roadways:

• PA Turnpike I-76 in both directions from Cranberry (Exit 161) to Valley Forge (Exit 326);
• PA Turnpike 66 (Greensburg Bypass) from Route 119/Interstate 70 to Route 22/Blairsville;
• Interstate 81 from the Maryland border to Interstate 78;
• Interstate 70 from the Maryland border to the PA Turnpike;
• The entire length of Interstate 83;
• The entire length of Interstate 99; and
• The entire length of Interstate 283.

A Tier 1 restriction means certain vehicles will not be allowed on select highways, including:

• 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 cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV
• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers
• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes
• School buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches not carrying chains or alternate traction devices
• Motorcycles

Depending on changing conditions, PennDOT may issue speed limits reductions in affected areas as well.

Tier 1 restrictions are also planned for the following additional roadways beginning at 4 a.m.:

• Route 22 from Interstate 78 to the New Jersey border;
• The entire length of Route 33;
• PA Turnpike I-76 and I-276 (mainline) in both directions from Valley Forge (Exit 326) to the I-95 connector.
• The entire length of Interstate 78;
• Interstate 80 from Interstate 99 to the New Jersey border;
• Interstate 81 from Interstate 78 to Interstate 84;
• The entire length of Interstate 84;
• The entire length of Interstate 176;
• The entire length of Interstate 380; and
• PA Turnpike I-476 (Northeastern Extension) from Mid County exit (Exit 20) to Clarks Summit (Exit 131).

Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website at www.511pa.com and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for alerts on www.511pa.com by clicking on “Personal Alerts” in the left-hand menu.

PennDOT urges motorists to avoid travel during the storm if possible. But if travel is necessary, use caution, reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions. Freezing temperatures are expected, so motorists should be aware of blowing and drifting snow, which can cause icy areas on roadways, including overpasses and bridges.

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.