PennDOT advises motorists to use caution
Motorists are cautioned to avoid unnecessary travel and equip their vehicles with emergency kits due to ice, sleet and snow forecast for the next few days, said state Department of Transportation Secretary Barry J. Schoch.
“Extremely dangerous weather is expected over the next few days, and although we will have crews treating roads around the clock, motorists should remain prepared for exceptionally icy conditions,” Schoch said. “All it takes is one stuck vehicle or crash to halt traffic and create lengthy delays. If you must travel, vehicle emergency kits are essential and motorists should ensure that their vehicle’s gas tank is as full as possible.”
Schoch said PennDOT will treat interstates and expressways with salt brine for anti-icing measures and that salt will be used once the roads are plowed and are free of snow and ice.
On secondary roads, PennDOT reduces the amount of salt and increases the amount of anti-skid to help vehicles maintain traction. These roads are also plowed to remove accumulations of slush and ice.
PennDOT urges motorists to pack a winter emergency kit for each vehicle that they own. The department also asks motorists to allow extra space when driving near plow trucks.
When preparing for winter travel, 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 500 traffic cameras. The 511 site also provides easy-to-use, color-coded winter road conditions for all interstates and other routes covered in the 511 reporting network. Regional Twitter alerts are also available on the 511PA website.