MEDIA, PA — As winter approaches, the Shapiro Administration this week announced that thousands of PennDOT and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) workers and vehicles are ready to tackle whatever the season brings. Officials also encouraged residents to apply for temporary winter positions to help keep roadways clear and travelers safe.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll emphasized that safety and preparedness remain top priorities, noting that the department is equipped with more than 2,600 plow trucks and over 512,000 tons of salt statewide. Nearly 4,700 workers are on call, supported by an estimated $207 million winter operations budget.
“Public safety is at the core of the Shapiro Administration’s mission, and PennDOT and our partners are prepared for the season ahead,” Carroll said. “We urge the public to be our teammates in making this season a safe one—prepare yourselves and your vehicles before winter begins.”
Residents can monitor real-time plow-truck locations and roadway conditions on more than 40,000 miles of state-maintained roads through 511PA.com. The system uses Automated Vehicle Location technology to track when and where roads have been serviced.
On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, more than 600 operators, patrol staff, and traffic controllers are preparing for 24/7 operations. “We do our best to stay on top of winter weather to make the Pennsylvania Turnpike as safe as we can,” said PA Turnpike Director of Maintenance John DelRicci. “We also need motorists to use safe driving habits and exercise caution during winter weather conditions.”
In the Philadelphia region, PennDOT District 6—responsible for over 10,000 snow-lane miles across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties—will rely on 182 state-owned and 262 contractor trucks, along with 97,000 tons of salt. Eighty-nine municipalities have also partnered with PennDOT to maintain more than 2,500 additional snow-lane miles.
Motorists are urged to slow down, buckle up, and keep essential supplies in their vehicles. Last winter, Pennsylvania recorded 8,329 crashes on snowy or icy roads, resulting in 29 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries.
Stay informed and travel safely this winter by visiting the MyChesCo Traffic Center for updates on road conditions and closures across Chester County.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.