Due to the winter storm impacting the region, PennDOT will temporarily reduce the speed limit on several major roadways in south central Pennsylvania starting at around 10 a.m.
PennDOT encourages motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
- Interstate 81 in Franklin, Cumberland, Dauphin and Lebanon Counties (reduced from 55-65 MPH),
- Interstate 78 in Lebanon County (reduced from 65 MPH),
- Interstate 83 in York, Cumberland and Dauphin Counties (reduced from 55-65 MPH),
- Interstate 283 in Dauphin County (reduced from 55 MPH),
- PA 283 in Dauphin and Lancaster Counties (reduced from 55-65 MPH),
- US 22/322 in Dauphin County (reduced from 55 MPH),
- US 22/322 in Perry County (reduced from 55-65 MPH),
- PA 581 in Cumberland County (reduced from 55 MPH),
- US 11 in Franklin and Cumberland Counties (reduced from 55 MPH),
- US 15 in Adams, York and Cumberland Counties (reduced from 55-65 MPH),
- US 11/15 in Cumberland and Perry County counties (reduced from 55 MPH),
- US 30 in York and Lancaster Counties (reduced from 55 MPH),
- US 222 in Lancaster County, north of US 30, (reduced from 55 MPH),
Although PennDOT has crews treating roadways around the clock, 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.
PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms. However, if people must travel, they can check road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of state roads by calling 511 or visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 500 traffic cameras. The 511 site also provides easy-to-use, color-coded winter road conditions for all interstates and other routes covered in the 511 reporting network. Regional Twitter alerts are also available 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.
(Source: PennDOT)