PENNSYLVANIA, USA — As multiple inches of snow are expected to fall in Central Pennsylvania on Thursday night and into, PennDOT announced some vehicles will be restricted from Interstates 83 and 78 in certain counties starting at 10:00 p.m. on Jan. 6.
The restrictions on Interstate 78 in Lebanon County and Interstate 83 in Cumberland, Dauphin and York Counties, ban the following vehicles:
• 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 busses and motor coaches
• Motorcycles
Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is also temporarily reducing the speed limit on major roads in 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 81, 83 and 283
· Routes 15, 30, 283, 322 and 581
Commercial vehicles must stay in the right lane while the speed restriction is in place on these roads. Speed limits will be reduced on other roads as conditions warrant.
PennDOT recommends motorists pack an emergency kit in their vehicles, for more information on what to pack, check out FOX43's article here.
Officials say the purpose of the restrictions are to help ensure the interstates remain open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm.
When conditions improve, PennDOT says they will remove the travel restrictions.