Truck travel restrictions to go into effect on Friday morning in Pennsylvania

With a winter storm on the way, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) plans to implement vehicle travel restrictions on Friday.

PennDOT says that they’ll begin to restrict travel as early as 10 a.m. on January 1, 2021, on some roadways in anticipation of a storm that is expected to bring frozen precipitation.

See below for the full slate of truck travel restrictions from PennDOT:

Effective 10:00 AM on Friday, January 1, vehicle restrictions will be implemented reflecting Level 3 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on the entire length of Interstate 99 in both directions.

Effective 12:00 PM on Friday, January 1, vehicle restrictions will be implemented reflecting Level 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on I-80 from I-79 to I-99.

Also at 12:00 PM on Friday, January 1, vehicle restrictions will be implemented reflecting Level 3 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on I-80 from I-99 to the New Jersey border. 

Effective 2:00 PM on Friday, January 1, vehicle restrictions reflecting Level 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan will be implemented on the following roadways:

• I-81 north of I-80 in both directions;
• The entire length of I-84 in both directions; and
• The entire length of I-380 in both directions.

On roadways with Level 1 restrictions in place (I-80 from I-79 to I-99), 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 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; and motorcycles.

On roadways with Level 3 restrictions in place (I-99, I-80 from I-99 to the New Jersey border), 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 restrictions are in place.

On roadways with Level 4 restrictions in place (I-81, 84 and 380 north of I-80), 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 m.p.h. on these roadways for all vehicles while restrictions are in place, 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.