YOU CAN CHECK THE STATUS OF THESE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, AS WELL AS ACCESS ROAD CONDITIONS, TRAFFIC CAMERAS, AND THE SNOW PLOW TRACKER AT 511PA.COM. JERE: NOW TO OUR TEAM OF REPORTERS MONITORING CONDITIONS ON THE ROADS THIS MORNING. WE START THIS HALF HOUR WITH WGAL NEWS 8’S MEREDITH JORGENSEN, LIVE IN YORK COUNTY. MEREDITH: THE WEATHER HAS CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST HOUR OR SO. THE SNOW IS COMING DOWN IN A SLEET MIX. THE PLOWS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP. THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD, BUT IT IS MOVING AT A PRETTY STEADY PACE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VIA WE SHOT SEVERAL HOURS AGO AROUND 2:00 IN THE MORNING, WE SAW A TEAM OF PLOW TRUCKS WORKING TOGETHER HEADING EASTBOUND AROUND TORNADO STREET. THIS IS WHAT PENNDOT WAS AIMING TO DO THE WHOLE TIME, KEEP THE ROADS PASSABLE. THEY ARE HOPING TO KEEP EVERYONE OFF THE ROADS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE ROADS CLEAR THROUGHOUT THIS SNOW STORM. LET’S CHECK IN WITH MATT BARCARO. HE IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THINGS. MATT: WE HAVE HAD SOME INTERMITTENT BUT HEAVY BANDS OF SLEET INTO THAT IS ALL LYING ON THE GROUND. 83 AS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BREAK RERAN AND MANY PLOW TRUCKS HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH SINCE WE HAVE BEEN HERE THIS MORNING, THAT THERE IS A LOT OF PRECIPITATION CONTINUING TO COME DOWN. PENNDOT HAS BEEN SALTING A LOT. THEY HAVE BEEN SALTING MORE THAN THEY TYPICALLY DO BECAUSE OF THIS SLEET THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE STOPPING ALONG THE CAPITAL BELTWAY. LET’S GO TO LORI BURKHOLDER. LORI: I THINK I AM THE LUCKY ONE BETWEEN YOU AND MEREDITH BECAUSE THE PRECIP H ALMOST STOPPED HERE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE FLAG — YOU CAN SEE IT FLAPPING AWAY. JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT — TAKE A LOOK AT THE ROAD. IT IS MOSTLY SNOW-COVERED AND DISLIKE. PENNDOT SAYS THERE ARE NO MAJOR ISSUES OTHER THAN TRYING TO GET THESE ROADS AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE BEFORE THE NEXT SNOW, BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AS YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT. THIS IS A PLOW TRUCK WE CAUGHT HERE ON ROUTE 741 — ONLY THE SECOND 1 — ONLY THE SECOND GUY WE HAVE — ONLY THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE SEEN THAT GUY. THE ROADS ARE PASSABLE YOU H
PennDOT, Pennsylvania Turnpike add more vehicle restrictions due to winter storm
WGAL News 8 snow coverage
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Turnpike are implementing more vehicle restrictions as a winter storm moves through central Pennsylvania.PennDOT issued the following statement Monday morning:Effective at 9 a.m., vehicle restrictions are anticipated on the following roadways at Tier3 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:Interstate 76/276/95 (PA Turnpike mainline) from Interstate 81 (Carlisle Interchange, Exit 226) to the New Jersey border;Interstate 80 from Interstate 99 to Interstate 81;The entire length of Interstate 81 in both directions;The entire length of Interstate 83 in both directions;Interstate 283 in both directions;Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 276 (PA Turnpike mainline) to Interstate 78 (Lehigh Valley Interchange,Exit 56); andInterstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 80 (Pocono Interchange, Exit 95) to Interstate 81 (Clarks Summit Interchange,Exit 131). On roadways with Tier 3 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted EXCEPT loaded single trailers with chainsor approved Alternate Traction Devices. 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 roadwayswhile restrictions are in place.Effective at 9:00 AM, vehicle restrictions are anticipated on the following roadways at Tier4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:Route 22 from Interstate 78 to the New Jersey border;The entire length of Route 33 in both directions;The entire length of Interstate 78 in both directions;Interstate 80 from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey border;The entire length of Interstate 84 in both directions;The entire length of Interstate 380 in both directions; andInterstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 78 (Lehigh Valley Interchange, Exit 56) to Interstate 80 (Pocono Interchange,Exit 95).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.Tier 1 restrictions remain in effect on the following roadways:Interstate 70 in both directions from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) to the Maryland state line; Interstate 76 (PA Turnpike mainline) from Breezewood Interchange, Exit 161, to Interstate 81 (Carlisle Interchange, Exit 226)Interstate 80 in both directions from Interstate 99 to Interstate 79; andThe entire length of Interstate 99 in both directions.Under Tier 1 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;Enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV;Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers;Recreational vehicles/motorhomes;School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches not carrying chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATD’s); andMotorcycles.Additional speed and vehicle restrictions on these and other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.Speed limits reducedPennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit on interstates and interstate look-alikes in the south central region of Pennsylvania. PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:Interstate 81 in Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin and Lebanon counties;I-83 in Cumberland, Dauphin and York counties;I-283 in Dauphin County.US 15 from Maryland State Line to PA 581.US 22 from I-81 to PA 75.US 30 from US-15 to PA 22.I-78 from I-81 to Mile Marker 10.US 222 from US 30 to PA 568/ PA 272.PA 283, the entire length.US 322 from I-83 to Dauphin/Lebanon County Line.PA 581, the entire length.Snowplow safety PennDOT reminds drivers of some snowplow safety tips:Stay at least six car lengths behind plow trucks.Do not try to pass plow trucks; they are wider than standard trucks.Move away from the center lane, where plows tend to drive.Do not drive next to plow trucks, these vehicles have large blind spots.While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles on 511pa.com. You can even view real-time plow tracking by checking the plow truck option at the top of the map.Event though PennDOT urges you not to go out unless you absolutely have to, it has some advice on emergency items to keep in your vehicle:Full water bottleNon-perishable foodFlashlight and batteriesJumper cablesCellphone and chargerSnow shovelSand and/or saltFirst-aid suppliesWarm clothingBlanketWGAL News 8 will continue to follow this winter weather. Stay with us on air and online for updates.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Turnpike are implementing more vehicle restrictions as a winter storm moves through central Pennsylvania.
PennDOT issued the following statement Monday morning:
Effective at 9 a.m., vehicle restrictions are anticipated on the following roadways at Tier3 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:
- Interstate 76/276/95 (PA Turnpike mainline) from Interstate 81 (Carlisle Interchange, Exit 226) to the New Jersey border;
- Interstate 80 from Interstate 99 to Interstate 81;
- The entire length of Interstate 81 in both directions;
- The entire length of Interstate 83 in both directions;
- Interstate 283 in both directions;
- Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 276 (PA Turnpike mainline) to Interstate 78 (Lehigh Valley Interchange,Exit 56); and
- Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 80 (Pocono Interchange, Exit 95) to Interstate 81 (Clarks Summit Interchange,Exit 131).
On roadways with Tier 3 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted EXCEPT loaded single trailers with chainsor approved Alternate Traction Devices. 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 roadwayswhile restrictions are in place.
Effective at 9:00 AM, vehicle restrictions are anticipated on the following roadways at Tier4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:
- Route 22 from Interstate 78 to the New Jersey border;
- The entire length of Route 33 in both directions;
- The entire length of Interstate 78 in both directions;
- Interstate 80 from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey border;
- The entire length of Interstate 84 in both directions;
- The entire length of Interstate 380 in both directions; and
- Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 78 (Lehigh Valley Interchange, Exit 56) to Interstate 80 (Pocono Interchange,Exit 95).
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.
Tier 1 restrictions remain in effect on the following roadways:
- Interstate 70 in both directions from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) to the Maryland state line;
- Interstate 76 (PA Turnpike mainline) from Breezewood Interchange, Exit 161, to Interstate 81 (Carlisle Interchange, Exit 226)
- Interstate 80 in both directions from Interstate 99 to Interstate 79; and
- The entire length of Interstate 99 in both directions.
Under Tier 1 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;
- Enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV;
- Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers;
- Recreational vehicles/motorhomes;
- School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches not carrying chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATD’s); and
- Motorcycles.
Additional speed and vehicle restrictions on these and other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.
Speed limits reduced
PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit on interstates and interstate look-alikes in the south central region of Pennsylvania. PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
- Interstate 81 in Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin and Lebanon counties;
- I-83 in Cumberland, Dauphin and York counties;
- I-283 in Dauphin County.
- US 15 from Maryland State Line to PA 581.
- US 22 from I-81 to PA 75.
- US 30 from US-15 to PA 22.
- I-78 from I-81 to Mile Marker 10.
- US 222 from US 30 to PA 568/ PA 272.
- PA 283, the entire length.
- US 322 from I-83 to Dauphin/Lebanon County Line.
- PA 581, the entire length.
Snowplow safety
PennDOT reminds drivers of some snowplow safety tips:
- Stay at least six car lengths behind plow trucks.
- Do not try to pass plow trucks; they are wider than standard trucks.
- Move away from the center lane, where plows tend to drive.
- Do not drive next to plow trucks, these vehicles have large blind spots.
While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles on 511pa.com. You can even view real-time plow tracking by checking the plow truck option at the top of the map.
Event though PennDOT urges you not to go out unless you absolutely have to, it has some advice on emergency items to keep in your vehicle:
- Full water bottle
- Non-perishable food
- Flashlight and batteries
- Jumper cables
- Cellphone and charger
- Snow shovel
- Sand and/or salt
- First-aid supplies
- Warm clothing
- Blanket
WGAL News 8 will continue to follow this winter weather. Stay with us on air and online for updates.