PA Turnpike to Ban Tractor Trailers, Other Trailers and Box Trucks from Northeastern Extension

HARRISBURG, PA (02/25/2010)(readMedia)-- Pennsylvania Turnpike officials alert motorists that a general ban on tractor-trailers, box trucks (Class 5 and above) and any other type or class of vehicle pulling a trailer will be implemented on the entire Northeastern Extension (I-476) tonight at 6 p.m. from Mid-County to Clarks Summit. No such vehicles will be permitted to enter the Northeastern Extension at any interchange. The lone exemptions are buses, tow trucks and other emergency vehicles.

The ban is being implemented because of expected zero-visibility conditions combined with heavy snowfall and high winds. It does not impact travel on the east-west Turnpike mainline or Turnpike extensions in Western Pennsylvania.

Drivers are strongly advised to park and wait out the snowstorm at 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 be periodically reevaluated to determine if it can be lifted or localized to a more specific Turnpike section as road and weather conditions change.

For now, the Northeastern Extension remains open for vehicles not included in this winter-weather ban. But the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph on the entire Northeastern Extension due to conditions.

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.