In anticipation of the forecasted winter storm, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is planning to temporarily restrict certain vehicles on several interstates in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Effective at 1 a.m. today, vehicle restrictions will reflect Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on the following roadways:
- Interstate 79, from Exit 147 (Route 19/Route 322/Route 6/Meadville) to the end of I-79 in Erie County.
- Interstate 90, from the Ohio state line to the New York state line.
- Interstate 86, from I-90 to the New York state line.
Under Tier 1 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; enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks, which meet the definition of a CMV; passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers; recreational vehicles/motorhomes; school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches; motorcycles.
PennDOT anticipates implementing additional vehicle restrictions at 5 a.m. today on the same roadways. These restrictions will reflect Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
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.
Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added, depending on changing conditions.
The purpose of the restriction is to help ensure the interstates remain open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm. When conditions improve, PennDOT will remove the travel restrictions.
Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website at www.511PA.com and smartphone apps.
