PITTSBURGH - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation returned speed limits to normal on several major highways in Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties on Thursday.

State officials had previously lowered speeds to 45 mph on Interstates 79, 279, 376, 579, and Route 28 due to a winter storm. While the agency lifted the restrictions in the Pittsburgh area earlier in the day, the lower limits remained in place for Beaver and Lawrence counties for several additional hours.

The restoration of normal speeds includes the Beaver Valley Expressway and the stretches of Interstate 79 and Interstate 376 running through Lawrence County. Commercial trucks are no longer required to stay in the right lane, and the state has ended its request for drivers to avoid unnecessary travel.

PennDOT representatives said all roads in the three-county region have returned to their usual posted limits.