PA road restrictions for snow storm Sunday: Some tractor-trailers, other vehicles prohibited

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike are announcing road restrictions for Sunday as a major winter storm is expected to drop a significant amount of snow over a large portion of the state.

Motorists are advised to avoid all unnecessary travel Sunday. Snowfall rates of up to an inch per hour are possible, leading to treacherous travel conditions. PennDOT said while its crews will be working keep roads as clear as possible during the storm, it will not be possible to keep them entirely free of snow.

PennDOT on Saturday announced it will limit many tractor-trailer and other vehicles on Sunday. Speed limit restrictions will also be implemented during the storm.

Tier 3 restrictions

All commercial vehicles are permitted except loaded single trailers with chains or approved Alternate Traction Devices. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles towing trailers are not permitted.

Tier 3 restrictions are planned to go into effect at 6 a.m. Sunday on the following highways:

• I-76 from the PA Turnpike to the New Jersey border.
• PA Turnpike I-76 from Morgantown (Exit 298) to the New Jersey border.
• I-95, entire length.
• PA Turnpike I-95, entire length.
• PA Turnpike I-276, entire length.
• I-295, entire length.
• I-476 from PA Turnpike I-476 to I-95.
• PA Turnpike I-476 Northeast Extension from Mid-County (Exit 20) to Lehigh Valley (Exit 56).
• I-676, entire length.

Tier 3 restrictions are planned to go into effect at 9 a.m. Sunday on the following highways:

• I-78, entire length.
• I-81 from I-78 to PA Turnpike 476.
• I-80 from I-180 to the New Jersey border.
• I-84, entire length.
• I-380, entire length.
• PA Turnpike I-476 Northeast Extension from Lehigh Valley (Exit 56) to Clarks Summit (Exit 131)
• Route 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey border.
• Route 33, entire length.

Tier 1 restrictions

Some commercial vehicles are prohibited, including tractors without trailers, tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers, tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers, and enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV. Additionally, passenger vehicles with towing trailers, RVs/motorhomes, school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches and motorcycles are not permitted.

Tier 1 restrictions are planned to go into effect at 6 a.m. Sunday on the following highways:

• PA Turnpike I-76 from Carlisle (Exit 226) to Morgantown (Exit 298).
• I-81 from the Maryland border to I-78 (Exit 89).
• I-83, entire length.
• I-283, entire length.

Tier 1 restrictions are planned to go into effect at 9 a.m. Sunday on the following highways:

• I-81 (Exit 194) to the New York border.

Source: Berkshire mont