PA Turnpike Reports Extremely Difficult Travel Conditions

HARRISBURG, PA (02/06/2010)(readMedia)-- Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission officials are reporting that the state's system of toll roads remains open but with several trouble spots, namely between Donegal and Somerset in western Pennsylvania. The Turnpike strongly advises anyone who might be considering interstate travel this morning to reconsider.

The heaviest hit area of the PA Turnpike is between the Somerset Interchange (#110) and the Donegal Interchange (#91), where a number of stranded, disabled and jackknifed tractor trailers have made the westbound lanes very slow moving with sporadic complete stoppages. State Police and maintenance crews are on scene trying to clear the logjam. Westbound motorists approaching Somerset might consider seeking an alternate route, but the condition of adjoining roadways is likely the same in that area. The eastbound lanes from Donegal to Somerset remain open but slow-moving.

Plow trains have been running across the Turnpike system nonstop throughout the night and all morning today, and crews have been able to keep the roadway open and passable for the most part. But the rate of snowfall is so intense that the roadway quickly becomes snow covered soon after the plows pass by, making for poor driving conditions. High winds and drifting are adding to the severity of travel conditions.

If you must travel, those headed for the turnpike should check out travel conditions online before they depart at www.paturnpike.com or by calling the Turnpike's travel advisory hotline at 1-866-976-8747.