Uniontown, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is continuing to clear roadways from this weekend’s storm. In addition, PennDOT is reminding residents of steps they can take to secure their mailboxes and properly maintain driveway entry points.
“Throughout the winter season we receive concerns about mailboxes along the roadway and snow piling up in driveways. Our snowplow operators are continuously working throughout each snowstorm to provide safe and passable roadways to our motorists. We ask that property owners be mindful of their responsibilities when it comes to mailboxes in the right-of-way and removing snow around their driveways,” said Robb Dean, Assistant District Executive – Maintenance.
PennDOT allows property owners to place mailboxes within the limits of the legal right-of-way along state owned roadways to accommodate the U.S. Postal Service’s need to deliver and receive the mail as well as for the convenience to their customers. Residents should remember that mailboxes located in the legal right-of-way are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain and repair.
Here are some tips for securing mailboxes during the winter:
- Ensure the mailbox has a strong support.
- Construct a cantilever mailbox support that will “swing” a mailbox out of harm’s way.
- Clear snow from in front and on the sides of the mailbox, disposing of it properly, not on the roadway.
- Use reflective tape or other material to make the mailbox easier to see during storms or dark hours.
- Questions regarding the proper location for a mailbox along the roadway can be directed to the local post office.
PennDOT also urges residents to not shovel snow onto state roads as this can increase the potential for crashes, and property owners can be held liable and/or face fines. State law requires citizens to use and maintain their property in ways that avoid creating hazardous road conditions for others, including not obstructing highway lanes and drainage facilities with snow and ice.
Whenever clearing driveway entry points, PennDOT recommends moving snow to the right side of the driveway and clear a section prior to the driveway to lessen the amount of snow a plow might push unto the driveway. A diagram of the recommended snow removal is available online at www.penndot.pa.gov/winter.
Property owners should also avoid creating large piles at entrances as high accumulations of snow can obstruct the vision of motorists, posing a safety hazard.
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.
Motorists 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.
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.
Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District12.
PennDOT’s media center offers resources for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders. Social-media-sized graphics highlighting winter safety are among the available options.
MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Maczko, mmaczko@pa.gov or 724-415-3748
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