(WBRE/WYOU) — With snow and ice expected Thursday, PennDOT is urging caution for those traveling on Pennsylvania roadways.
Snow is moving into the area Thursday with sleet and freezing rain to follow across Pennsylvania and there is potential for icy conditions on the roads.
PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit to 45 mph and restricting commercial vehicles to the right lane only on the following roadways:
- Interstate 78 in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.
- Interstate 80 in Carbon and Monroe counties.
- Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.
- Interstate 380 in Monroe County.
- US 22 in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
- PA 33 in Monroe and Northampton counties.
Vehicle restrictions reflect Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan (PDF).
On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted including:
- School buses.
- Commercial buses.
- Motor coaches.
- Motorcycles.
- RVs/motorhomes.
- Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place.
PennDOT is urging drivers not to travel, but those who must will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
PennDOT is enacting the following vehicle restrictions on roadways ahead of the storm:
The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the New Stanton exit to the Carlisle exit.
The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- I-70 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the Maryland border.
- I-79 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the end of I-79 North.
- I-81 from the Maryland border to I-80.
- I-83, entire length.
- I-99, entire length.
- I-283, entire length.
- I-376 from Toll 376 to I-80.
- Route 22 from Route 119 to I-99.
- Route 22/322 from I-81 to I-99.
The following vehicle restrictions are expected to go into effect at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, following Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the Breezewood exit to the Harrisburg East exit.
Vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, per Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan for the following roadway.
- PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the New Stanton exit to the Breezewood exit.
The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- I-80 from mile marker 4 to I-81.
- I-180, entire length.
The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- PA Turnpike Northeast Extension I-476 from the Lehigh Valley exit to the Clarks Summit exit.
The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- I-70 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the Maryland border.
- I-79 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the end of I-79 North.
- I-80 from Exit 4 to Exit 173.
- I-81 from the Maryland border to I-80.
- I-83, entire length.
- I-99, entire length.
- I-376 from Toll 376 to I-80.
- Route 22 from Route 119 to I-99.
- I-78, entire length.
- I-84, full length.
- I-380, full length.
- Route 33, full length.
Vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 4:00 a.m. on the following roadways on Thursday, February 6, per Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- I-78, entire length.
- I-80 from Exit 173 to I-81.
- I-81 from I-83 to I-80
- I-180, entire length.
- I-283, entire length.
- Route 22/322 from I-81 to I-99.
- Route 22 from I-78 and Route 33.
The following vehicle restrictions are scheduled to go into effect at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, under Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- I-80 from I-81 to the New Jersey border.
- Route 33, full length.
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 without chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs).
- 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.
On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes, and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.
PennDOT says to avoid unnecessary travel, but if you do find yourself in poor driving conditions it gives this advice:
- 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.
- Have an emergency kit handy. Here are some suggestions of what you could include in your emergency kit.
PennDOT urges drivers to travel the posted speed limit, pay close attention to signs and flaggers, turn on their headlights, and avoid all distractions.
You can stay up to date on speed limit restrictions, road conditions, and closures on 511PA.com.
To stay up to date on the latest weather alerts, use the Eyewitness Interactive Radar.