Due to winter weather conditions, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has temporarily reduced speed limits on a number of roadways in the north central region.
PennDOT urges motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must drive should expect reduced speed limits of 45 miles per hour on the following roads:
- I-80 in Clearfield, Centre and Clinton counties;
- I-99 from the PA Turnpike in Bedford through Centre County;
- Route 219 in Clearfield, Elk and McKean counties;
- Route 322 in Centre, Mifflin and Juniata counties;
These speed restrictions will be in place until further notice. PennDOT will issue an update when the restrictions are lifted.
Although PennDOT crews are 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.
To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking 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 860 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 Web site.
A vehicle emergency kit should be prepared or restocked containing items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel.
Motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families have such as baby supplies, extra medication and pet supplies.
Motorists should be aware that all vehicles should be fully clear of ice and snow before winter travel. If snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury, the operator of that vehicle could receive a $200 to $1,000 fine.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.
For regional updates on Twitter, follow www.twitter.com\511PAStateCOLL
