PennDOT has announced restrictions for Interstate 81 ahead of Saturday's winter storm.
The "Tier 1 Restrictions" include the following and will go into effect in phases throughout the day as the storm approaches.
During Tier 1 Restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted:
- Tractors without trailers. Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers.
- Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers.
- Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV. Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV's, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
- Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.
- School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches.
- Motorcycles.
These restrictions for Interstate 81 will go into effect, Saturday, January 6th, as follows:
- 10:00am - Interstate 81 from the Maryland Border to Interstate 78
- 2:00pm - Interstate 81 from Interstate 78 to the New York Border
A Tier 3 Restriction will go into effect at 4:00pm for Interstate 81 from Interstate 80, in Luzerne County, to the New York Border. That means no 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 (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.
Should you be planning on traveling other highways on Saturday, these same restrictions will also be in effect as follows:
- Tier 1
- 10:00am
- Interstate 99, entire length.
- I-83 entire length.
- 12:00pm
- PA Turnpike (I-76) from New Stanton (Exit 75) to Carlisle (Exit 226)
- 2:00pm
- Pa Turnpike Northeastern Extension (I-476) Lehigh Valley (Exit 56) to Clarks Summit (Exit 130).
- I-78 entire length.
- I-80 from Exit 173 (Lamar) to New Jersey.
- I-84 entire length.
- I-180 entire length.
- I-380 entire length.
- Route 33 entire length.
- U.S. 22 from I-78 to New Jersey.
- Tier 3
- 4:00pm
- I-84 entire length.
- I-380 entire length.