Storm restrictions in place on highways

With snow anticipated to fall at rates of an inch per hour in northeastern Pennsylvania and in response to a full commercial vehicle ban on Interstate 78 and 80 in New Jersey, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are imposing restrictions on certain trucks and other vehicles and limiting speed limits.

PennDOT is urging motorists to use caution during the event and generally reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions.

All double trailers (regardless of whether they are equipped with chains), empty trailers, non-commercial vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles and motorcycles on these interstates:

• Interstate 81 north of the junction with Interstate 80 to the New York border.

• Interstates 84 and 380 in northeast Pennsylvania.

• Interstate 476, the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, north of the Lehigh Valley exit.,Interstate 80 Eastbound from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey border.

• Interstate 78 Eastbound from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey border.

• Route 22 from Interstate 78 to the New Jersey border in both directions.

• The entirety of Route 33 in both directions.

• Interstates 78 and 80 in the west bound direction will remain unrestricted unless conditions warrant implementation of restrictions.

As conditions warrant, speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph and commercial vehicles must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.

For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, visit PennDOT.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at PennDOT.gov/safety.

Follow the conversation by using #PAWinter on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and visit the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation.