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    Interstate 80 Westbound Reopen in Mercer County

    Speed Restrictions Remain in Place on Interstate 79 and Interstate 80 in Northwest Region

    January 28, 2026

    Due to the winter weather continuing to impact the region, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, especially on interstates, where the speed limit remains reduced.

    The westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Mercer County have reopened to traffic following a crash involving a tractor trailer earlier today.

    A temporary speed limit restriction to 45 mph remains in effect on the following interstates in the northwest region:

    • Interstate 79 from Exit 113 (Route 208, Grove City) in Mercer County to the ending point in Erie County.
    • Interstate 80 from the Ohio state line in Mercer County to Exit 42 (Route 38, Emlenton) in Venango County.

    On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roads must move to the right lane.

    Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, and they will not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

    While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check 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 1,200 traffic cameras.

    511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

    Drivers should always allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

    For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter.

    Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1.  

    Find PennDOT news for the northwest region on X or Facebook. 

    MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, sadaughert@pa.gov or 814-678-7095

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