Speed Limits Reduced on Some Interstates in Northwest Region

Secondary routes have reopened

Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit to 45 miles per hour on parts of Interstate 86 and Interstate 90 in Erie County.

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: 

  • I-86 from the New York state line to Interstate 90.
  • I-90 from Interstate-79 to the New York state line.

The following roadways remain under a Tier 2 vehicle restriction:

  • I-90 westbound from the Ohio state line to the New York state line.
  • I-90 eastbound from the Ohio state line to I-86.
  •  I-86 from I-90 to the New York state line.
  • I-79 from Exit 147 (Meadville) to the end of I-79 in Erie County.

Under Tier 2 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 loaded tandem trailers unless there are chains or another approved Alternate Traction Device on board.
  •  Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box 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.
  •  Motorcycles.

I-90 from I-86 to the New York state line remains under a Tier 4 restriction.

Under Tier 4 restrictions, all commercial vehicles are prohibited. 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.

Route 531, Route 5, and Route 955 have reopened to traffic.

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.

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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