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PennDOT reduces speed limits on major roads

Winter weather impacting the area Thursday has forced PennDOT to temporarily reduce speed limits on major roads in central Pennsylvania. PennDOT is urging motor...
SnowPlow

Winter weather impacting the area Thursday has forced PennDOT to temporarily reduce speed limits on major roads in central Pennsylvania.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

  • I-81 in Franklin, Cumberland, Dauphin and Lebanon counties,
  • I-78 in Lebanon County,
  • I-83 in York, Cumberland and Dauphin counties,
  • I-283 in Dauphin County,
  • Route 283 in Dauphin and Lancaster counties,
  • S. 22/322 in Dauphin and Perry counties,
  • Route 581 in Cumberland County,
  • S. 11 in Franklin and Cumberland counties,
  • Route 15 in Adams, York and Cumberland counties,
  • S. 11/15 in Cumberland and Perry County counties,
  • S. 222 in Lancaster County between U.S. 30 and the Berks County line.

Although PennDOT crews are treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check road conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 700 traffic cameras, 94 of which are in the Midstate.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA. Citizens can find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the Web site or the toll-free line.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.dot.state.pa.us/winter.

 

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