PennDOT truck travel restrictions set to begin Sunday

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will begin weather-related travel restrictions starting on Sunday afternoon.

In preparation for winter weather conditions, starting at noon on January 31, PennDOT will implement Tier 1 travel restrictions on the following roadways:

• Interstate 70 in both directions from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) to the Maryland state line;
• The entire length of Interstate 78 in both directions;
• Interstate 80 from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey state line;
• The entire length of Interstate 81 in both directions;
• The entire length of Interstate 83 in both directions;
• The entire length of Interstate 84 in both directions; and
• The entire length of Interstate 380 in both directions

Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicle types are not permitted on restricted 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 cargo delivery 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 not carrying chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATD’s); and
• Motorcycles

PennDOT warns that additional speed or vehicle restrictions could be put into place as the winter storm gets closer.

“Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 151 crashes resulting in three fatalities and 81 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors,” PennDOT said in a news release.

PennDOT implemented similar travel restrictions on January 25 due to weather.

You can get the latest travel information from PennDOT at www.511pa.com.