HARRISBURG PA – Avoid unnecessary travel. Use caution when driving. Both warnings represent best advice being offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Turnpike Commission ahead of an anticipated winter storm due Sunday and Monday (Jan. 5-6, 2025) across much of the state.
PennDOT says its crews will actively pre-treat roadways where necessary ahead of the storm, to help prevent ice formation. On the Turnpike, according to the commission, more than 600 equipment operators, safety patrol personnel, and traffic operators “are ready to provide around-the-clock staffing and roadway assistance,” the agency says.
The state warns, however, that “salt does not resolve all risks.” Drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy. It urged “extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form.”
PennDOT Plans Some Vehicle Restrictions
To ensure traffic stays as safe as possible, PennDOT announced Friday at 4 p.m. that it intends to implement various speed and vehicle restrictions during the storm.
Its specific plans include vehicle restrictions that affect passenger vehicles towing trailers, motor homes or recreational vehicles, school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, and motorcycles. Also affected are a range of tractor trucks without trailers, and others towing special types of trailers.
They will be forbidden to travel on the following listed highways, beginning on the following dates and start times, until the restrictions are rescinded by PennDOT:
Sunday (Jan. 5), beginning at 5 p.m.
- Interstate 79 from the West Virginia border to Exit 77 (PA Turnpike);
- I-70 from the West Virginia border to PA Turnpike Exit 57 (New Stanton);
- I-279, entire length;
- I-376 from Brighton (Exit 36) to PA Turnpike (Exit 85); and
- I-579, entire length.
Sunday (Jan. 5) at 8 p.m.
- PA Turnpike (I-70/I-76) from Exit 28 (Cranberry) to Exit 161 (Breezewood);
- PA Turnpike 576, entire length;
- PA Turnpike 43, entire length; and
- PA Turnpike 66, entire length.
and Monday (Jan. 6) at 12:01 a.m.
- I-81 from the Maryland border to I-78 (Exit 89);
- I-83, entire length; and
- PA Turnpike (I-76) from Breezewood (Exit 161) to Harrisburg East (Exit 247).
The restrictions “will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website, and smartphone apps,” PennDOT reports. Drivers also can sign up on its website to receive personalized alerts on the website. It expects restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe.
Photo by Komal Brar on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
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