Skip to main content
November 21, 2024 News Release

PA Turnpike Ready for First Batch of Winter Weather This Season, Urges Drivers to Prepare


PA Turnpike Ready for First Batch of Winter Weather This Season, Urges Drivers to Prepare 

Forecasted heaviest snow on PA Turnpike system in Laurel Highlands, North of Lehigh Tunnel

Middletown, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is warning drivers to prepare for winter weather beginning Thursday and continuing into Friday and Saturday.  

Forecasters are calling for the heaviest snow to fall in the Laurel Highlands area between the New Stanton (Exit #75) and Bedford (Exit #146) Interchanges between Thursday morning and early evening. Snowfall rates could exceed one inch per hour in the corridor, along with gusty winds and lower visibility at times. Heavy snow is also possible on the Northeast Extension north of the Lehigh Tunnel (MP A70.7) Thursday night. Other areas on the mainline PA Turnpike between the Ohio Line and Breezewood, as well as the Northeast Extension north of Allentown, could see periods of rain switching over to snow.   

If speed and vehicle restrictions become necessary, the information will be communicated via changeable message signs along the roadway, the 511PA website, social media and smartphone apps.    

While there are no planned restrictions due to weather, the PA Turnpike has construction-related restrictions for commercial vehicles from Milepost 80 to 120 for its Total Reconstruction Initiative. In this area only, commercial vehicles are restricted to the left lane and to speeds at a maximum of 55 mph.   

As part of our mission and commitment to safety, the PA Turnpike prepares year-round for winter weather to ensure its vehicles and system are ready to support roadway safety during the winter months. More than 600 equipment operators and safety patrol personnel, as well as traffic operators, are ready to provide 24/7 staffing and roadway assistance throughout the winter. The PA Turnpike is responsible for maintaining approximately 2,900 snow-lane miles on our 565+ miles of roadway.  

While PA Turnpike crews work around the clock to maintain safe driving conditions, customers are encouraged to do their part by driving safely. Here are a few tips:  

  • Avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather. 
  • State law requires windows and mirrors to be completely clear to improve visibility. Don't forget to clear the hood, roof and trunk, too. 
  • Avoid sudden stops and starts. 
  • Slow down and increase following distance. 
  • Never use cruise control when driving on snow. 
  • Never crowd or pass a plow truck.  

When driving during winter, it is important that you have an emergency kit handy. Here are some suggestions of what you could include in your emergency kit: Watch | Facebook.  

If you are involved in a crash, here is some advice from the Pennsylvania State Police:  

  • Move your vehicle as far as possible from the travel lanes if it’s able to be driven. Remaining in the lanes of travel when your vehicle can be driven is extremely dangerous. 
  • If your vehicle or another involved vehicle is not able to be driven due to damage, or if one of the involved parties is injured, PA law requires the crash be reported to police. Do this by dialing 911 right away. 
  • If your vehicle is disabled in the lane of travel or stuck in the travel lanes due to snow or ice, remain inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on and hazard lights activated. If it’s not safe to remain inside your vehicle, assess the situation and get yourself and passengers to a place of safety such as behind a barrier or guardrail. When exiting your vehicle, move as quickly as possible and DO NOT remain in the travel lanes or near your vehicle. 
  • When encountering a crash scene, the law requires you to move over if possible and always slow down. First responders will be active at the scene and focused on helping those involved in the crash and getting the road back open.  

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles across the Commonwealth, 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 1,000 traffic cameras.  

To report an incident or other emergency on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 via mobile phone. To learn more about PA Turnpike conditions, use one of these resources:  

ON THE TURNPIKE  

511PA Smartphone App: real-time, hands-free PA traffic advisories 

Changeable Message Signs: more than 200 boards along the PA Turnpike 

ON THE WEB  

511/511pa.com: live, interactive map  

X/Twitter: @PATurnpikeAlert 

BY PHONE 

511: dial from any PA roadway for local travel information 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Customer Assistance Center: 877-736-6727, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike

EDITOR’S NOTE: Winter weather video on the PA Turnpike can be found here (Download link available in ⓘ information tab). 

 

###

 

Media Contacts:

Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com 

Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com