Governor Wolf Outlines Preparations for Latest Severe Winter Weather Forecast

Governor Wolf Outlines Preparations for Latest Severe Winter Weather
Forecast

3/6/2018-HARRISBURG

With a new severe weather system forecast to impact wide areas of eastern
Pennsylvania Wednesday, Governor Tom Wolf said state agencies have prepared
an
aggressive plan to reduce disruptions, but he added that postponing any
unnecessary travel will help state crews in meeting their missions.

"This storm may not have the extremely high winds as the one last week, but
it
will dump significant amounts of snow across a wider area and that prospect
is
moving us to take additional aggressive steps to restrict heavier vehicles
from
the interstates," Governor Wolf said. "We must remember that weather is to
a
large extent unpredictable, but we are doing our utmost to station
resources in
as effective way as possible."

Beginning at midnight on Tuesday, PennDOT will impose a ban on empty
straight
trucks, large combination vehicles (tandem trailers and double trailers),
tractors hauling empty trailers, trailers pulled by passenger vehicles,
motorcycles and recreational vehicles, or RVs, on:

• Interstate 78 from the junction with Interstate 81 in Lebanon County to
the
New Jersey line;
• I-80 from the junction with Interstate 81 to the New Jersey line;
• I-81 from the Maryland line to the New York State line;
• I-84 from the junction with Interstate 81 to the New York State line; and
• I-380 from the junction with Interstate 80 to the junction with
Interstate 81.

At the same time, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will prohibit these
vehicles from traveling the northeastern extension between the Lehigh
Tunnel
and Clarks Summit.

Additionally, at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, all commercial vehicles will be
banned
on I-380 and I-84 within Pennsylvania.

Restrictions will remain in place as long as warranted through the storm.
As
conditions develop, speed restrictions and wider truck and vehicle bans
will be
considered on these routes.
The heaviest snows are expected to fall during much of the day Wednesday.

In anticipation, PennDOT is moving five plow trucks and two graders along
with
18 employees into Pike County to address any issues on Interstate 84, as
well
as 20 plow trucks and two graders along with 46 employees to address any
issues
on Interstates 80, 380, and Route 33 in Monroe County and the Lehigh
Valley.
The crews are being moved from western Pennsylvania to assist in this storm

response.

Also, two heavy duty tow trucks are being positioned along Interstate 84 in

Pike County and one heavy duty tow truck in each of Luzerne and Lackawanna
counties to deal with any issues on Interstates 80 and 81.

"I cannot stress enough the importance for everyone to heed weather
forecasts,
listen to directions from emergency officials, and plan accordingly,"
Governor
Wolf said.

If traveling during severe winter weather, motorists should make sure their
gas
tank is full and they pack an emergency kit, which should include
non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel, and warm clothes.
Remember
also any special needs, such as baby food, pet supplies or medications.

When queues form and roadways are expected to be closed for long periods
because of crashes and other traffic disruptions, PennDOT and the
Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency can activate the 511PAConnect system to
establish
contact via cellphone to trapped motorists.

Motorists are reminded that roadways will not be free of snow while
precipitation is falling. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet
may
be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway
ramps
where ice can form without warning. Motorists should leave plenty of space
–
six car lengths --- when following a truck that is plowing or spreading
winter
materials. Also, reduced speeds are a must when traveling during snow
events.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists are
encouraged to "Know Before You Go" by checking conditions on more than
40,000
roadway 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 850 traffic cameras.

Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific
route
using the "Check My Route" tool.

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.

To view a complete list of District 6 News Releases: Click
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