Pa. Turnpike Reduces Speed Limit to 45 mph on Entire System

HARRISBURG, PA (01/26/2011)(readMedia)-- Due to ongoing heavy snowfall statewide, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is operating under a Weather Emergency and is implementing travel restrictions as follows.

Effective immediately, the Turnpike has implemented a lower speed limit across the entire toll-road system from the Ohio line to New Jersey and on the Northeastern Extension. (Earlier today, the speed limit was lowered on parts of the Turnpike - 322 miles in all.)

At 6 p.m., the Turnpike will implement a right-lane-only restriction for all commercial vehicles (trucks) as follows:

• between the Donegal Interchange (Exit 91) and the Blue Mountain Tunnel (milepost 200);
• from the Morgantown Interchange (Exit 298) east to the Delaware River Bridge (Exit 359); and
• on the entire Northeastern Extension (I-476) from Mid County (Exit 20) to Clarks Summit (Exit 131).

All restrictions will remain in place until Thursday morning after rush hour.

The Turnpike's snow-removal teams are actively plowing and salting throughout the system, and the roadway is presently wet or partially snow covered in most areas - with accumulating snow heaviest in mountainous areas.

The Turnpike's Traffic Operations Center continues to monitor traffic and weather across the state, and currently there are six minor, non-injury accidents on the 545-mile system with little or no disruption to traffic.

Turnpike travelers can get up-to-date travel information by calling 866.976.TRIP (or 866.976.8747). This toll-free number gives audio advisories for the region in which you are traveling, including delays and closures due to accidents or weather. To check conditions before you hit the road, the Turnpike's Interactive Travel Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap delivers a snapshot of conditions across the entire Turnpike, including live web cams, at-a-glance traffic-flow status, weather conditions, audio advisories and more.

To report Turnpike emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.