At A Glance
- Roads Affected: I-76, I-78, I-80 (I-81 to NJ), I-81, I-83, I-84, I-95, I-283, I-295, I-380, I-476, I-676, Route 33, U.S. 22 (I-78 to NJ), PA Turnpike (I-76, I-276, I-476)
- Dates: Sunday, February 22
- Times: Beginning 3:00 PM; duration weather dependent
- Reason: Heavy snow and hazardous travel conditions
HARRISBURG, PA — A statewide winter storm expected to intensify Sunday afternoon will trigger Tier 1 vehicle restrictions across major Pennsylvania highways beginning at 3:00 PM on February 22.
PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced that snowfall rates could reach three-quarters of an inch to 1½ inches per hour as snow spreads across the Commonwealth from Saturday night into Sunday. In response, restrictions will go into effect on numerous interstates and Turnpike segments, including the full lengths of I-76, I-78, I-81, I-83, I-84, I-95, I-476, and I-676, as well as portions of I-80 and U.S. 22 extending to New Jersey.
Under Tier 1 restrictions, tractors without trailers, empty or lightly loaded tractor-trailers, passenger vehicles towing trailers, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, school buses, and commercial buses are prohibited from operating on impacted roadways. Speed limits may be reduced to 45 mph for all vehicles, and commercial vehicles not covered by the ban must remain in the right lane.
Restrictions may expand or be lifted depending on changing road conditions and reports from first responders and maintenance crews.
Officials strongly urge motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. If driving is unavoidable, plan extra time, increase following distance, use headlights and hazard lights in snow squalls, and never stop in active travel lanes during whiteout conditions.
Preliminary data from last winter shows more than 8,300 crashes on snow- and ice-covered roads statewide, resulting in 29 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries.
For up-to-the-minute roadway conditions and vehicle restrictions, visit 511PA.com and check the MyChesCo Traffic Center at https://www.mychesco.com/traffic/ before heading out.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.