PennDOT, PA Turnpike announce vehicle, road restrictions for Friday
PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission have announced vehicle restrictions for Friday, Dec. 26, on various state highways due to the impending winter weather.
Two categories of vehicle restrictions will go into effect at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in accordance with PennDOT’s Tier 3 plan.
The plan restricts commercial vehicles, except those with loaded single trailers and chains or approved alternate traction devices, school and commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs and any passenger vehicles towing trailers.
Speed limits will also be restricted to 45 mph on the restricted roads for all vehicles, and commercial vehicles must stay in the right lane.
PennDOT said additional speed restrictions could be added on other interstates depending on conditions.
The 10 a.m. restrictions apply to all interstates west of I-81 including I-70, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, all western PA Turnpike extensions. Around the state, they will also apply to I-81 south of I-83.
The 2 p.m. restrictions apply more to the eastern side of the state affecting the PA Turnpike, I-81 north of I-83 and all interstates to the east of I-81, all eastern PA Turnpike extensions, Route 33 and U.S. Route 22 between I-78 and Route 33.
PennDOT expects precipitation in the western portion of the state to begin late Friday morning with freezing rain.
It said the storm will begin with snow in central Pennsylvania. The northeast region of the state is expected to see 3 to 6 inches of snow, with up to 8 inches in some areas. It said eastern regions of the state will see more snow, but all of Pennsylvania is expected to see snow or ice by the evening.
It also expects temperatures to remain below freezing after the storm Saturday morning.
Road crews will pretreat roads where necessary ahead of the storm, but drivers may still encounter ice.
