Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced a pilot project for the 2024-25 winter season that requires commercial vehicle drivers to fasten their tire traction chains at designated areas along a pair of routes with mountainous terrain. The goal of the project is to improve winter operations and reduce the likelihood of extensive road closures due to commercial vehicles getting stuck on vertical grades during winter weather events.
The pilot will consist of two sites. One is located along Route 322 westbound in Mifflin County before the Milroy exit and intended for use by commercial vehicle drivers climbing Seven Mountains. The other is located along Route 153 northbound in Clearfield County and intended for use by drivers climbing Boone Mountain. In each case, companion chain removal areas are located at the top of the mountainous terrain.
PennDOT intends to activate the project only during extreme winter weather events. It has installed signage a mile ahead of each designated area that will flash when the chain up areas are active. The district’s regional traffic management center will also offer notice of the project’s activation using changeable message signs along Route 322 in Mifflin County and Interstate 80 westbound in Clearfield County. Its community relations office will also inform media and external partners.
PennDOT met with stakeholders including the Pennsylvania State Police and municipal police departments before deciding to move forward with this pilot project.
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.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/district2
Information about infrastructure in District 2, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D2Results.
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CONTACT: Timothy Nebgen, 814-765-0598 or tnebgen@pa.gov
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