PENNSYLVANIA, USA — UPDATE: PennDOT restored speed limits and lifted all restrictions around 7 a.m. on Tuesday on all interstates in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Pike, Susquehanna, Wyoming, and Wayne counties.
A speed restriction remains on Route 15 from the Lycoming/Tioga County line to the New York state border.
Original Story:
Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily restricting certain vehicles on Interstate 80 in Northcentral Pennsylvania on Monday, February 15.
Updated vehicle restrictions reflect Tier 3 of the commonwealth's weather event vehicle restriction plan, and are in effect on Interstate 80 between the Ohio State border and the Route 11/15 Interchange.
On roadways with Tier 3 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted except loaded single trailers with chains or 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 roadways while restrictions are in place.
Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place.
Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.
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.
In anticipation of winter weather and icy conditions throughout the state on Monday, PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are implementing restrictions on trucks and other vehicles on certain roadways.
Tier 1 vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways:
- Interstate 70 from the West Virginia border to the PA Turnpike;
- Interstate 76 (PA Turnpike mainline) in both directions from the Breezewood interchange (Exit 161) to the Ohio border;
- The entire length of Interstate 79;
- Interstate 80 from Interstate 99 to the Ohio border;
- The entire length of Interstate 86;
- The entire length of Interstate 90;
- The entire length of Interstate 279;
- The entire length of Interstate 376; and
- The entire length of Interstate 579.
Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on the above-listed 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.
PennDOT recommends avoiding travel during the storm if possible. If travel is necessary, check 511pa.com for the most up-to-date information.
