Allentown, PA – PennDOT has changed some of the temporary Tier 4 restrictions on certain vehicles from traveling on interstates and expressways in east central Pennsylvania to Tier 1 restrictions.

Due to the winter storm impacting the region, PennDOT is temporarily restricting certain vehicles from using interstates and expressways to help ensure that they remain open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm. 

The following vehicle restrictions are in effect in accordance with Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

• Interstate 380 In Monroe 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, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.
• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches.
• Motorcycles.

The following vehicle restrictions are in effect in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

• Interstate 78 – US 22 to New Jersey State Line (Lehigh and Northampton counties)
• Interstate 80 – PA 33 to New Jersey State Line (Monroe County)

On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. 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.

Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.

In addition to the vehicle restrictions, those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

• Interstate 80 in Carbon and Monroe counties.
• Interstate 380 in Monroe County.

On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.