1:30 PM Update: Both Routes 44 and 54 are open to car traffic at this time. The truck advisory remains in effect on Route 54.
10:45 AM Update: Due to the winter conditions and several stuck tractor-trailers on Routes 44 and 54, both roadways are now closed to all traffic at the locations listed below.
Montoursville, PA – Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is advising that commercial trucks and large trucks avoid certain roadways due to steep grades in north central Pennsylvania.
Commercial and large trucks should avoid:
- Route 44 between Route 554 in Elimsport, Washington Township, and Route 654 in Limestone Township, just south of Jersey Shore Borough, Lycoming County.
- Route 54 between Route 487 in Ralpho Township and Route 61 in Mount Carmel Township in Northumberland County.
Roadways will not be free of snow while precipitation is falling. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form without warning.
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 find transportation results in Tioga, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict3.
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 CONTACTS: Maggie Baker and Kim Smith at ra-pdd03crc@pa.gov
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