Parkway North HOV lanes reopen open in both directions after 15-month repairs

The High Occupancy Vehicle lanes along the Parkway North will reopen to vehicle traffic in both directions starting on Wednesday morning after being shut down for nearly 15 months, PennDOT announced.

A technical issue delaying the reopening, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said around 6:20 a.m. They were open about an hour later.

The transportation agency closed the lanes in both directions in March 2020 while crews performed repairs, inspections, vegetation and litter removal and installed barricades.

The outbound HOV lanes were reopened to traffic in late May.

The HOV lanes are used to reduce congestion along Interstate 279 by requiring at least two people in all vehicles except motorcycles from 6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Trucks are not permitted to use the lanes.

“Leading up to the reopening, PennDOT has reviewed HOV operations with staff members, repaired and tested gate controllers, tested all fast-acting gates, ensured communication systems are operational, redeployed HOV guards and performed dry runs for opening and closing procedures,” PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said in a news releases.

“Additionally, training and certification on HOV operations will occur for new staff members over the next several weeks, necessitating mid-day closures from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Information will be provided in advance of all closures,” Cowan said.

Beginning at approximately 6 a.m. on Wednesday the HOV lanes will open to traffic in both directions and use the following schedule:

• Inbound: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (HOV 2+)

• Outbound: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (HOV 2+)

• Outbound: Monday through Friday, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. (Unrestricted)

• Outbound: Friday at 7 p.m. through Monday at 5 a.m. (Unrestricted)