PennDOT and PA Turnpike Update Vehicle Restrictions Ahead of Winter Weather

Go to 511PA.com or the 511PA smartphone app for the most up-to-date information on weather impacts and vehicle restrictions

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and the PA Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) are updating planned vehicle restrictions in response to updated weather forecasts. Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and to exercise caution when driving.

Vehicle restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for personalized alerts on the website. Restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe. Restrictions can be changed based on conditions on the roadways, and reports from first responders, law enforcement and PennDOT and PA Turnpike personnel.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the Breezewood exit to the Harrisburg East exit.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the New Stanton exit to the Breezewood exit.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • PA Turnpike Northeast Extension I-476 from the Lehigh Valley exit to the Clarks Summit exit.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • I-70 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the Maryland border.
  • I-79 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the end of I-79 North.
  • I-80 from Exit 4 to Exit 173.
  • I-81 from the Maryland border to I-80.
  • I-83, entire length.
  • I-99, entire length.
  • I-376 from Toll 376 to I-80.
  • Route 22 from Route 119 to I-99.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 4:00 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • I-78, entire length.
  • I-80 from Exit 173 to I-81.
  • I-81 from I-83 to I-80
  • I-180, entire length.
  • I-283, entire length.
  • Route 22/322 from I-81 to I-99.
  • Route 22 from I-78 and Route 33.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 7:00 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • I-80 from I-81 to the New Jersey border.
  • Route 33, full length.

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 unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers.
  • Tractors towing loaded tandem trailers without chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs).
  • 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, regardless of the availability of trains or ATDs.
  • Motorcycles.

On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. 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.

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

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, 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 free smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X.

To report an incident or emergency on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 on your mobile phone. The PA Turnpike will provide updates on their social channels, on their roadway and at all service plazas.

Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts or subscribe to news in a specific county or region. Find PennDOT news on X,Facebook, and Instagram. The PA Turnpike will provide updates on their social channels, on their roadway and at all service plazas.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Alexis Campbell, PennDOT, 717-783-8800 or [email protected]

Marissa Orbanek, PA Turnpike, 267-408-5151 or [email protected]

# # #

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *