Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews and equipment from across the state continue with winter storm clean up in Erie County as the region prepares for additional snow in the forecast for later this week.
“The length and the depth of this storm has required the highest level of coordination among states, agencies and local governments to get roadways cleared of snow before the next wave hits,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty. “Our employees from Erie County, the northwest region, and throughout the state continue to demonstrate their dedication to public service as they work around the clock to implement one of the PennDOT’s largest snow-related efforts.”
PennDOT has built on last week’s pre-storm planning – which included bringing department equipment and operators from nearby counties – to include additional resources from PennDOT’s operations across Pennsylvania.
Throughout the storm, Mobile Equipment Teams (MET), including over 80 additional plow trucks and other heavy equipment and more than 100 employees, have been rotated into operations from each of PennDOT’s other 10 districts. This is on top of the 52 plow trucks and 90 operators regularly stationed in Erie County and the 34 pieces of equipment and 55 employees from District 1 who have been assisting. This is helping the department in plowing roads faster and removing hard-packed snow from some of the hardest hit secondary roads.
“These additional resources make it possible for PennDOT through PEMA to help local municipalities, such as the City of Erie, with their operations,” McNulty said. “It has been a true team effort.”
With additional snow squalls and accumulation in the forecast, PennDOT will continue collaboration with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania State Police, and other state and local officials. The department will also maintain daily coordination calls with New York State DOT and New York Thruway and a storm management presence at the Erie County Emergency Operations Center. MET resources will be reallocated as the storm progresses.
Although PennDOT crews have been 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.
A speed limit reduction of 45 mph remains on the following interstates:
· I-79 from Exit 147A (Route 6/Route 322, Meadville) to Exit 183A (Route 5/12th Street, Erie)
· I-86 from the New York state line to Interstate 90.
· I-90 from I-79 to the New York state line.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways 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 accessible on the 511PA website.
The department also 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.
More information about how to prepare for any type of emergency, including free downloadable checklists of items to keep in your home, car, and at work, and specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA webpage.
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.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
Find PennDOT news for the northwest region on X or Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, 814-678-7095 or sadaughert@pa.gov
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