Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration is urging drivers to exercise caution on roadways across the state, and with continued instances of snow melt causing icing conditions, PennDOT today urged motorists to avoid Interstate 78 in the area between Allentown and Hamburg and to use caution when driving elsewhere.
“Freezing rain and melted snow is causing icy conditions in many areas of the commonwealth,” said Governor Wolf. “I am urging drivers to exercise caution before traveling today, and if you can avoid driving, stay home. A major accident on I-78 west of Allentown has already caused backlogs. I applaud PennDOT and State Police for quickly responding to clear the scene but drivers should avoid I-78 if possible or be prepared for possible delays as the backlog clears.”
Freezing rain across stretches of Pennsylvania created rapidly forming ice patches and PennDOT crews continue to monitor the interstates and other routes and treat as needed. Before the freezing rain started, message boards along Interstate 78 were activated urging motorists to use caution and lower speeds. The pavement had been treated beforehand.
Motorists can check 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 770 traffic cameras.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has upgraded the state Emergency Operations Center has to Level three due to poor road conditions and multiple accidents in the Interstate 78 corridor.
The State Police have mobilized troopers to work with local fire and police to clear the scene as quickly as possible
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.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation.