PA Turnpike/PennDOT Warn Motorists of Possible Restrictions Due to Weather

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., Jan. 26. 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Due to the predicted winter storm hitting the eastern half of the state, the PA Turnpike and PennDOT warn motorists that it may temporarily lower the speed limit and restrict certain commercial vehicles on some parts of its roadways tonight depending on the forecast.

Speeds may be reduced on the PA Turnpike to 45 mph between the Harrisburg East Interchange (Exit #247) and the Delaware River Bridge (Exit #359) and on the Northeastern Extension at some point this evening and throughout the night. The PA Turnpike would also restrict commercial trucks hauling multiple trailers and those hauling empty trailers from traveling in these areas as well.

PennDOT may reduce/restrict speeds and restrict commercial vehicles on Interstates in the Philadelphia  and Pocono Mountain regions if the expected weather system produces large amounts of snow there.

PA Turnpike and PennDOT officials urge motorists to travel only if necessary in these areas. Crews will be out continuously treating the roadways. During a storm, the objective is to keep roads passable, not totally free of snow or ice. Crews will continue to treat until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

Before heading out, motorists can check PA Turnpike conditions at www.paturnpike.com and look at the "Current Alerts" ticker at the top of the page for restrictions. While traveling, motorists can use the Turnpike's smartphone app, TRIP Talk, available for Android and iPhone users. The app 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.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 Pennsylvania 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 700 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.

Follow the PA Turnpike on Twitter at: @PATPWestern (western region); @PATPCentral (central region); @PATPSouthEast (southeastern region); @PATPNorthEast (northeastern region); or @PATPStatewide (entire Turnpike).

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews or "like" the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation.

Media Contacts:
Renee Vid Colborn, Manager of Media & Public Relations
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Phone 717.831.7507/Mobile 717.645.3502
[email protected]

Richard Kirkpatrick,
PennDOT
Phone 717.783.8800/mobile 717.439.1787

SOURCE PennDOT