Pennsylvania Governor Rendell: Philadelphia Area Interstates Now Open

Interstate 78 Remains Closed in Both Directions; Most Speed and Truck Restrictions Lifted

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three Philadelphia area interstates and the interstate between Reading and Morgantown have reopened, Governor Edward G. Rendell said this morning.

Earlier this morning, Interstates 81, 83 and PA 581 in the central region of Pennsylvania reopened.

Interstate 78 remains closed in both directions while the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) continues to deal with high winds and drifting snow.

Governor Rendell ordered the interstates closed Wednesday to allow PennDOT to deal with the combination of heavy snow and high winds, which raised the potential for significant drifting.

"The strong winds created whiteout conditions in many areas of the state," Governor Rendell said. "All the elements for significant hazardous conditions were converging, and we needed to take aggressive steps to ensure the public safety and help PennDOT keep highways cleared in the face of very challenging conditions."

PennDOT also lifted both a 45 mph speed limit and restrictions on certain vehicles from Pennsylvania interstates and expressways, except Interstate 81 in Schuylkill, Lebanon, Dauphin, Cumberland, and Franklin counties; Interstate 83; Interstate 283 in Dauphin County; Pennsylvania Route 283 in Dauphin and Lancaster counties; U.S. Routes 22 and 322 in Dauphin County; U.S. Routes 11 and 15 in Perry County; U.S. 15 in York and Adams counties; and U.S. 30 in Lancaster County, all of which will have the 45 mph speed limit maintained. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission also announced it has lifted the same restrictions from the Turnpike.

Media contact: Rich Kirkpatrick, 717-439-1787

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor