PENNSYLVANIA, USA — UPDATE (7:00 p.m.): PennDOT has lifted all restrictions.
PREVIOUSLY: Due to weather conditions, PennDOT has announced speed restrictions on some major roadways in Central Pennsylvania on Saturday morning.
In response to the winter storm, PennDOT has reduced speed limits to 45 mph on major roads in the eight-county south-central Pennsylvania region comprised of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties.
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:
- Interstates 78 in Lebanon County,
- Interstate 81 in Franklin, Cumberland, and Dauphin counties,
- Interstate 83 in York and Dauphin counties,
- Interstate 283 in Dauphin County,
- Route 15 in Adams County,
- Route 22 in Perry and Dauphin counties,
- Route 30 in York and Adams counties,
- Route 222 in Lancaster County,
- Route 283 in Lancaster County,
- Route 322 in Dauphin County, and
- Route 581 in Cumberland County.
Commercial vehicles must stay in the right lane while the speed restriction is in place.
Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, motorists should be alert for areas of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways until all roads are clear.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting 511PA. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
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 Ready PA or by downloading the free ReadyPA app for Apple or Android devices. Citizens can also find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the ReadyPA website.
