PennDOT is
urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will
see speeds reduced to 45 mph on I-80 from the Ohio state line to Clarion
County.
On
roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by
restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.
Although
PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, 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.
While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter
storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 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 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.
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.
More information about how to prepare for any type of
emergency, including free downloadable checklists
of items to keep in your home, car, and at work,
and specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets,
is available on the Ready
PA webpage.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT
treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford,
Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.gov/District1.
Follow
PennDOT’s northwest region on Twitter
or Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, 814-678-7095
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