EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — On Thursday night, PennDOT lifted some restrictions on Tier 1 vehicle restrictions on Interstate 80 in Monroe and Carbon Counties and Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County for the East Central area of Pennsylvania.

Restrictions are still in effect on Interstate 380 in Monroe County.

Ahead of icy and snowy conditions, coming into most of PA Thursday night and Friday, PennDOT is announcing road restrictions for drivers.

Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit on Interstate 81 in east-central Pennsylvania

Commercial vehicles must stay in the right lane while the speed restriction is in place on these roads. Additional restrictions on other roadways could be added depending on changing conditions.

In addition to the speed restriction on I-81, vehicle restrictions reflect Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan, and are in effect on the following roadways:

  • Interstate 380 in Monroe County;
  • Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.

Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:

  • Tractors without trailers; 
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers, or tank trailers; 
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers; 
  • Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV; 
  • Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers; 
  • Recreational vehicles/motorhomes; 
  • School buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches; and 
  • motorcycles. 

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways with commercial vehicles in the right lane only:   

  • Interstate 80
  • Interstate 81
  • Interstate 380
  • Interstate 180 the entire length 
  • Interstate 80 from the Route 38 interchange in Venango County to I-81 in Luzerne County
  • Route 220 from I-80 in Clinton County to I-180 in Lycoming County

The Tier 1 restriction for Interstate 80 is for I-80 WEST of Interstate 81 only in Luzerne County. Interstate 80 east of the Interstate 81 junction will remain open without a tier restriction until further notice.

The following vehicle restrictions will go into place at 1:00 AM on Thursday, December 15, in accordance with the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:

  • Tier 1:
  • I-79 from PA Turnpike (I-76) to I-80;
  • I-80 from I-79 to Exit 173 (Lamar); and
  • I-70 from Maryland to PA Turnpike (I-76) in Fulton County.
  • Tier 2:
  • I-70 from I-79 to I-76
  • Tier 3:
  • PA Turnpike (I-76) from the New Stanton to Breezewood exits; and
  • I-99, entire length.

The following vehicle restrictions will go into place at 6:00 AM on Thursday, December 15, in accordance with the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:

  • Tier 1:
  • I-81 from the Maryland border to I-80;
  • I-83, entire length; and
  • I-283, entire length.

The following vehicle restrictions will go into place at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 15, in accordance with the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:

  • Tier 1:
  • I-81 from I-380 to the New York border;
  • I-84, entire length;
  • I-380, entire length;
  • I-476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from I-78 to I-81 Clarks Summit Exit 56-131

 Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways: 

  • Tractors without trailers
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers, or tank trailers
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers

Enclosed are unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV:

  • Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers; 
  • Recreational vehicles/motorhomes; 
  • School buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches; and 
  • Motorcycles

On roadways with Tier 2 restrictions in place, tractors towing loaded tandem trailers are not permitted unless there are chains or another approved Alternate Traction Device on board. 

Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes, and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.

On roadways with Tier 3 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted EXCEPT loaded single trailers with chains or approved Alternate Traction Devices. 

Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes, and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.

PennDOT urges motorists to avoid travel if possible. If travel is necessary, use caution, reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions.

Drivers can check current road conditions on 511PA.