PennDOT faces “challenging” conditions to keep roads passable

(Harrisburg) — Heavy snowfall is blanketing portions of the midstate today

Early this morning, the National Weather Service in State College increased the total accumulation expected when this major winter storm wraps up sometime tonight — with more than two feet of snow expected in Adams, Cumberland, Lancaster and York counties.

PennDOT has been working round-the-clock to keep roadways across the region, so we checked in with spokesman Greg Penny to see how things are going.

Penny referred to a restriction of certain vehicles from major roads in south central Pennsylvania.

All double trailers, empty trailers, and tow-behind-trailers are banned from travel on the following routes:

• Interstate 78
• Interstate 81
• Interstate 83
• Interstate 283
• Route 11
• Route 15
• Route 22/322
• Route 30
• Route 222
• Route 283
• Route 581

Penny says the move will help ensure the interstates remain open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm.

The restictions will be removed when conditions improve

PennDOT is reminding drivers to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks and to avoid passing a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

The agency says an emergency kit should be packed if anyone drives during the storm.

Recommended items include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes, as well as baby food, pet supplies or medications, if necessary.

Due to the heavy snow and high winds, the agency has also temporarily reduced the speed limit on Route 322 in Mifflin and Juniata counties and on I-80 in north central Pennsylvania to 45 miles-per-hour.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com, a 24-hour service that provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.

Driver License and Photo Centers in 33 counties, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, are closed today because of the weather.

They include facilities in Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin (ROC counter, Driver License and Photo Center included), Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry,  Schuylkill and York counties.

On the Turnpike, speed restrictions of 45 miles-per-hour are in place from the New Stanton Interchange (#75) east to the Delaware River Bridge/New Jersey border,  along the entire Mon/Fayette Expressway (PA Turnpike 43) south of Pittsburgh and on the Northeastern Extension from Mid County Exit #20 to Lehigh Valley Exit #56 is also scheduled to begin at 8:30.\

Drivers are being asked to check conditions at www.paturnpike.com; through the “Active Travel Advisories” ticker at the top.

While traveling, drivers can use the Turnpike’s smartphone app, TRIP Talk, which senses your direction of travel and location and plays audio advisories to alert you of stoppages or delays ahead.

Travelers can also call the toll-free TRIP line at 866-976-TRIP (8747) for the latest travel and toll information.

Ttruck and trailer restrictions are also in place on the Pennsylvania Turnpike from the New Stanton Interchange (#75) east to the Delaware River Bridge/New Jersey border, on the entire Mon/Fayette Expressway (PA Turnpike 43) near Pittsburgh and on the Northeastern Extension from Mid County Exit #20 to Lehigh Valley Exit #56.

They include:

Over-dimensional (height/width/weight) commercial trucks

Commercial trucks towing multiple trailers (i.e., doubles or twins)

Commercial trucks towing empty trailers.

Passenger or non-commercial vehicles pulling an RV, utility or any other trailer