The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is engaging additional resources to expedite cleanup efforts from the winter storm affecting the northwest corner of the state.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll is in Erie County actively working with state and local officials to ensure roadways can be made safe and passable for emergency responders and other motorists.
Mobile Equipment Teams (MET), including at least 16 additional plow trucks and other heavy equipment, have been brought in from PennDOT Districts 2, 10, and 11 to shorten cycle times of plow routes, which traditionally can take between two and three hours.
Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.
“This storm presents a unique challenge to our staff, and everyone involved. With snow intensities ranging from two to four inches per hour for extended periods of time, we are working as hard as possible to make the roads safe and passable,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty. “We are advising motorists to please stay home and avoid all non-essential travel to allow our team time to do their jobs.”
Drivers who are out are reminded that the following roads remain closed:
- Interstate 90 eastbound and westbound lanes from Interstate 79 to the New York state line.
- Interstate 86 westbound lanes from I-90 to the New York state line.
The entire length of I-90 and I-86, as well as Interstate 79 from Exit 147 (Meadville) to the end of I-79 in Erie County, remain under a Tier 4 vehicle restriction, which prohibits all commercial vehicles.
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.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.
PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should account for special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.
More information about how to prepare for any type of emergency, including free downloadable checklists of items to keep in your home, car, and at work, and specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA webpage.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/winter.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
Find PennDOT news for the northwest region on X or Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, 814-678-7095 or sadaughert@pa.gov
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