Winter storm prompts Tier 3 commercial vehicle travel restrictions in Pennsylvania

The  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) announced travel restrictions for certain commercial vehicles due to winter weather.

Starting on the morning of Friday, December 26, PennDOT and the PA Turnpike will implement travel restrictions ahead of a storm expected to bring freezing rain, sleet, and as much as eight inches of snow in some portions of Pennsylvania.

See below for the announced travel restrictions:

Effective at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 26, Tier 3 travel restrictions will be implemented on the following roadways:

• Interstate 81, south of I-83
• ALL Pennsylvania interstates west of I-81 including:
  • PA Turnpike I-76
  • PA Turnpike I-70
  • All western PA Turnpike extensions

Effective at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 26, Tier 3 travel restrictions will be implemented on the following roadways:

• I-81, north of I-83
• Route 33, entire length
• U.S. 22 between I-78 to Route 33
• ALL Pennsylvania interstates east of I-81 including:
  • PA Turnpike I-76
  • All eastern PA Turnpike extensions

Under Tier 3 restrictions, no commercial vehicles are permitted EXCEPT loaded single trailers with chains or approved Alternate Traction Devices. 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 Tier 3 restrictions are in place.

Speed limits will be restricted to 45 m.p.h. on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane, according to PennDOT.

Be sure to visit www.511PA.com for the most up-to-date travel information from PennDOT.