Mercer County, Pa. - Due to the severity of the continuing winter storm, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has expanded the speed reduction on Interstate 79 in the northwest region.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see a speed limit reduction of 45 mph on the following highways:

- I-79 from the starting point in Erie County to the West Virginia state line in Greene County.

- I-80 from the Ohio state in Mercer County to Exit 161 (Route 220, Bellefonte) in Centre County.

- I-86 from the New York line to I-90 interchange in Erie County.

- I-90 from the Ohio state line to the New York state line in Erie County.

- I-376 from the I-80 interchange to the ending point in Allegheny County.

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com.