PennDOT, Ohio Turnpike plan travel restrictions for windy conditions
Ahead of an expected winter storm with high winds and snow, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and PennDOT have issued travel restrictions.
A restriction will be imposed across the entire 241-mile Ohio Turnpike for all high-profile vehicles from midnight EST, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, to 6 p.m. EST, Jan. 13, 2024.
High-profile vehicles are defined as heights exceeding 7 feet and 6 inches.
The following types of vehicles will be banned from traveling on the Ohio Turnpike until the travel restriction expires or is canceled:
- All high-profile tow-behind trailers, campers, boats, and enclosed trailers. (Fifth-wheel trailers are excluded.);
- Commercial trucks towing an empty single 53-foot trailer;
- All mobile homes, office trailers, and livestock trailers;
- All long combination vehicles (LCV) that include long double-trailer combinations exceeding 90 feet in length. (Enclosed trailers only, including Conestoga-type trailers);
- All LCV triple-trailer combinations.
The following types of vehicles will be permitted to travel on the Ohio Turnpike:
- Self-propelled motor homes;
- Low-profile trailers;
- Fold-down camper trailers;
- Pickup trucks with slide-on camper units;
- Vehicles towing fifth-wheel type trailers or any other type of trailers towed by passenger vehicles or pickup trucks;
- Commercial trucks towing single flatbed or box-type trailers;
- Commercial trucks towing a single 53-foot trailer with cargo/loaded;
- Commercial trucks towing a car hauler trailer;
- Commercial trucks towing flatbed double-trailer combinations more than 90 feet;
- Commercial trucks towing any double-trailer combinations less than 90 feet;
- two-axle buses less than 40 feet;
- Buses with three or more axles less than 45 feet.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is also planning for the windy and snowy conditions forecast for parts of the Northwest Region this weekend.
“The forecast on Friday evening starts with winds and moves to snow on Saturday through Monday. That means our crews, especially in Erie County, must be ready for different roadway needs,” said Aaron Fox, Assistant District 1 Executive – Maintenance.
As part of those safety efforts and based on the forecasted winds, PennDOT is planning to implement Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan (PDF) for the entire length of Interstate 86 and Interstate 90 in Erie County. The restrictions are planned to go in place at 4:00 PM on Friday, January 12, but the start time could be changed based on weather conditions.
Under Tier 2 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:
- Tractors without trailers.
- Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers, or tank trailers.
- Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers.
- Tractors towing loaded tandem trailers unless there are chains or other approved Alternate Traction Devices (ADTs).
- Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box 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 regardless of the availability of trains or ATDs.
- Motorcycles.
The purpose of the restriction is to help ensure the interstates remain open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm. When conditions improve, PennDOT will remove the travel restrictions.
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 the website.
While avoiding or delaying unnecessary travel during winter storms is the safest choice, PennDOT offers this advice if motorists must travel and encounter snow squalls or blowing or drifting snow:?
- Stay at least six car lengths back from a plow truck that is treating the roadways.
- Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
- Turn on your headlights. If caught in a snow squall, turn on your hazard lights.
- Stay in your lane and increase your following distance.
- Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible, and be patient.
- Do not drive distracted; your full attention is required.
- Use your defroster and wipers.
- Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
- During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely pull off the roadway.
- Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause a chain-reaction collision.
- Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
- Always buckle up and never drive impaired.?