PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – With the snow expected, the road crews are preparing and vehicle restrictions will come into effect later today.
Level 1 vehicle restrictions will apply on Parkway West departing from Ft Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Pitt Tunnel to I-79. This restriction is more likely to apply to commercial vehicles, but for most drivers it means there are no trailers, RVs, or motorbikes.
The following vehicles are not permitted on the affected roads under Level 1 restrictions:
- Tractors without trailers;
- Tractors pulling unloaded or lightly loaded closed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers;
- Tractors pulling unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers;
- Closed cargo delivery vans that meet the definition of a CMV;
- Passenger cars (cars, SUVs, pickups, etc.) pulling trailers;
- Recreational vehicles / mobile homes;
- School buses, commercial buses and coaches; and
- Motorcycles.
“The reason for this is that 3-6 inches on Greentree Hill can be tough for any driver, but it’s easy for empty trucks to get stuck on the hill,” said Steve Cowan, PennDOT District 11 spokesman.
The same restrictions take effect at 3 p.m. for I-79 from I-80 to I-90.
“The last thing anyone wants is a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day crash,” Cowan said on the phone.
Allegheny County Public Works will have 24 trucks in the storm. Snow is expected to start sticking around 10 a.m. tonight. Pittsburgh Public Works will have about 50-60 12-hour shifts starting at 10 a.m. PennDOT will have a full range of trucks available.
“There are currently no major problems. It’s still early in the season, ”Cowan told KDKA.
One of the challenges with this storm is that pre-treatment is not an option due to the rain before the snow.
The crews urge the drivers to stay away from the roads if possible. They say less traffic makes it easier to clear the streets and falling temperatures could lead to ice forming.
“We are concerned that after the storm is over, temperatures will drop,” said Cowan.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike introduced travel restrictions at 8 p.m. The Ohio Line to New Stanton has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour and utility vehicles are only allowed to use the right lane.
If you do need to go out, you will be asked to keep your distance between you and the car in front of you, give yourself extra time to get to your destination, and give room for the plows so they can clear the road for traffic .
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