The eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Venango County are closed from the on ramp from Route 308 at Exit 35 (Butler) to Exit 42 (Route 38, Emlenton) due to multi-vehicle crashes.
The westbound lanes of Interstate 90 in Erie County are closed from the on ramp from Route 98 southbound at Exit 16 (Fairview) to Exit 9 (Route 18, Girard/Platea) due to a crash involving a tractor trailer.
The highways are expected to reopen later today once the scenes have been cleared.
Due to the severity of the winter weather impacting the region, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has also temporarily reduced the speed limit on several interstates in the northwest region.
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
Interstate 79 from Exit 113 (Route 208/Route 258, Grove City) to the end of I-79.
I-80 from the Ohio state line to Exit 120 (Route 879, Clearfield/Shawville).
Interstate 86 from the New York state line to the I-90 interchange.
Interstate 90 from the Ohio state line to the New York state line.
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.
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 1,000 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.
The department asks motorists to 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.
PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should account for special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.
For real-time travel information throughout New York State, visit www.511NY.org.
For 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.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
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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