Speed Limits Restored, Vehicle Restrictions Lifted in Eastern, South Central Pennsylvania

Restrictions Remain in Place on Interstates 79, 90 in Northwest Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At 9 a.m., PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) lifted the speed-limit and vehicle restrictions that were in place on roadways in eastern and south central Pa., including the Delaware River Bridge and Fort Washington Interchange. Due to high wind speeds, a 45 mph speed limit remains on Interstate 90 in Erie County and Interstate 79 in Erie and Crawford counties until this afternoon.

Due to the hazardous conditions associated with Hurricane Sandy, speed limits were reduced yesterday to 45 mph on interstates and several other routes in these regions. Certain types of vehicles were also restricted from traveling on these roadways.

PennDOT and the PTC have been monitoring roadway conditions through the storm and will continue to address concerns as the storm moves out of the state.

Motorists are reminded that under state law, motorists who drive around or through signs or traffic control devices closing a road or highway due to hazardous conditions will have two points added to their driving records and be fined up to $250.

If the violation results in a need for emergency responders to be called, the fine is increased to between $250 and $500. In addition, violators will be held liable for repaying the costs of staging the emergency response.

Motorists can check road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of state roads by calling 511 or visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 670 traffic cameras. Regional Twitter alerts are also available on the 511PA website. Detailed travel information for the Pennsylvania Turnpike is also available at 1-866-976-8747.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews.  

Media contact: Erin Waters, PennDOT, 717-525-5354
Carl Defebo, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, 717-645-2265

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation