PA Turnpike Announces Ban on Certain Rigs to Take Effect at 6 a.m. Today

HARRISBURG, PA (02/10/2010)(readMedia)-- Pennsylvania Turnpike officials alert motorists that a winter-weather ban has been issued for the entire Turnpike system beginning at 6 a.m. today. At that time, the following vehicles will be prohibited from driving on the Turnpike:

• Class-9 vehicles (overweight and over-dimensional trucks)

• Large Combination Vehicles (tandem trailers and doubles)

• motorcycles

• recreational vehicles

• tractors hauling empty trailers

• trailers pulled by passenger vehicles (cars, pick-ups, SUVs and vans)

Drivers of these vehicles are strongly advised to park and wait out the snowstorm at Turnpike travel plazas or other designated parking areas and avoid seeking alternate routes. Any of the prohibited vehicles could be pulled over and cited once the ban is in place, according to Pennsylvania State Police Troop T. The ban will continue until road and weather conditions improve.

Motorists will be alerted about these vehicle restrictions via the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Variable Message Signs, Highway Advisory Radio station 1640AM, and the Turnpike web site, www.paturnpike.com.

This ban will be periodically reevaluated to determine if it can be lifted or localized to a more specific section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

For now, the Pennsylvania Turnpike remains open for vehicles not included in this winter-weather ban. But the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph across the entire toll-road system due to conditions. In fact, speed limits are reduced to 45 mph for all highways in PennDOT Districts 5, 6 and 8 covering South Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Remember to use extreme caution when traveling in inclement weather. If you must be on the Turnpike, please visit www.paturnpike.com or call or the travel advisory hotline, 1-866-976-8747, to check conditions before you leave.